Annual COVID Shots May Become as Commonplace as Flu Shots

Medical professionals speculate that the rapid emergence of COVID-19 variants means people will need to receive regular vaccinations against new strains, which may even become as commonplace as an annual flu shot, reports 9News . "Moderna just came and said that they have data now that their immunity lasts for at least a year, which is good news," said Mark Johnson with Jefferson County Public Health in Colorado. "I would not be surprised if Pfizer doesn't last at least as long since they both are very similar. So that's a good thing that at least we will have the ability to have yearly vaccinations instead of having to have them every six months or so." However, Johnson suggested many older Americans may need biannual rather than annual shots, to ensure they do not sicken. He noted that the immune systems in older people are less effective than those in younger people, which is likely to make additional shots necessary.