When and where can New Yorkers get the latest COVID vaccine?

It's that time of year again.

Pharmacies and doctor's offices in New York City are now receiving shipments of the latest COVID vaccine after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it earlier this month.

This formulation of the vaccine is tailored to newer variants of the virus and is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although getting vaccinated against COVID may seem less important than it did in late 2020 when the first vaccines were administered, health care providers say vaccinations are still an important tool to protect against infection and prevent severe symptoms if you do contract the virus.

“A new COVID vaccine is needed every year because COVID is constantly changing,” said Dr. Sybil Hodgson, director of clinical services for Montefiore Medical Group, the physician network at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. “The vaccine doesn't stay dormant. It doesn't stay the same.”

Here's what New Yorkers need to know about getting vaccinated against COVID this season.

When and where will the vaccine be available in NYC?

Many pharmacies and doctor's offices are still waiting for the new COVID vaccine, but in some places it is already available and should be generally available in early September.

CVS is now accepting walk-in visits or appointments for vaccination, the pharmacy chain said Wednesday. At Walgreens, the updated vaccines will be available starting Sept. 6, and patients can now schedule appointments online, spokeswoman Fernanda Sinzato said.

“I'm hoping we should have everything ready shortly after Labor Day,” Hodgson said, adding that patients who call now can be put on a waiting list for the vaccine.

New York City's Vaccine Finder website did not list any COVID vaccination locations as of Tuesday, but the site will be updated as health care providers receive supplies, said Patrick Gallahue, a spokesman for the city's health department.

“We encourage everyone to continue checking the Vaccine Finder or contacting their providers and pharmacies to learn when the vaccine will be available,” Gallahue said.

Will the vaccine be free for everyone?

Most health insurers are required by federal law to cover vaccines with no co-payment from patients, although some insurers can charge patients a co-payment if the provider is out of network. Last year, the Biden administration was forced to send a memo reminding health insurers of their obligations to cover COVID vaccination.

Those without insurance should check with their doctor in advance to see if they will have to pay out of pocket for the COVID vaccine, as the federal Bridge Access Program, which provides free vaccinations for the uninsured, expires this month.

Welfare facilities such as NYC Health and Hospitals and state-funded community health centers are more likely to offer free or low-cost treatment options to low-income patients without health insurance than pharmacy chains.

“NYC Health and Hospitals cares for all New Yorkers without exception, and that includes vaccination,” said Christopher Miller, a spokesman for the health system.

For a patient paying out-of-pocket, the new COVID vaccine costs about $200, said Thibault, the CVS spokesman.

Should I get vaccinated immediately?

New York's summer COVID surge has already peaked, but an average of 645 cases were still being reported per day last week, according to city data.

Getting vaccinated now would provide protection against the waning summer wave and also against the likely winter wave, says Andy Pekosz, an immunology professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies respiratory diseases.

However, those who have recently recovered from COVID may consider postponing their vaccination for three months, according to the CDC.

“The immunity from your infection protects against reinfection, so vaccination is actually not necessary,” Pekosz said.

Anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID now should also get a flu shot at the same time, Hodgson recommended.

Does the new vaccine protect against the latest variants?

The latest vaccine was designed to protect against a COVID strain called KP.2, which was responsible for about 23% of cases in New York City in mid-August, according to city data.

KP.2 is “very closely related to most of the variants currently in circulation,” Pekosz said, but acknowledged that the evolution of the virus makes it impossible to find a perfect match.

Pekosz added that it is especially important to get vaccinated with the updated version of the COVID vaccine this year because the variants circulating are very different from those that last year's vaccine was effective against.

Bonus: What about COVID testing?

Even if you're vaccinated, it's a good idea to have some home COVID tests on hand just in case, Hodgson advises.

The Biden administration is revising its program for free test kits. Starting at the end of September, every US household will be able to order four free tests online.

Update: This story has been updated to reflect that CVS announced Wednesday that its COVID vaccines are now available.