REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 13 (Reuters) - Drugstore chains CVS Health (CVS.N) and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.O) said on Wednesday that updated COVID-19 vaccines would be available at their stores as soon as this week.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director on Tuesday signed off on broad use of updated COVID-19 vaccines, arming a push to align the next round of shots more closely with the circulating variant of the virus, much like annual flu shots are designed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated vaccine made by Pfizer (PFE.N) and its German partner BioNTech (22UAy.DE) as well as one by Moderna (MRNA.O) for people ages 12 and above.
The agency has also authorized the shots for emergency use in children ages 6 months through 11 years.
Walgreens said it would start taking appointments for the updated vaccines from Monday, but could begin earlier appointments as stores receive vaccines this week.
Persons:
Luis S, Solano, Victor Walchirk, Kamil Krzaczynski, BioNTech, Christy Santhosh, Devika
Organizations:
Pfizer, Victor, REUTERS, Walgreens Boots Alliance, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Moderna, Walgreens, Rite, CVS, Retail, Walmart, Thomson
Locations:
Evanston , Illinois, U.S, Bengaluru