In a recent statement on Monday, the leading US public health official disclosed that Americans should anticipate yet another update of the Covid-19 vaccine come fall, coinciding with the availability of flu shots. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen revealed that researchers are currently in the process of selecting a strain for the upcoming version. It is likely that they will defer the decision until May to pinpoint the strain to be targeted with the vaccines. The announcement comes a month after the official recommendation that everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccination. Director Mandy Cohen herself demonstrated commitment to this directive by receiving the latest shot in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

“Folks should anticipate that when they get their flu shot, they’ll get an updated COVID shot as well,” said Cohen, noting that scientists are currently working to determine which strain the latest versions will target. That decision will likely not be made until May. Cohen added, “October is the right time to get vaccinated. As we get into late fall and winter … what we expect is to see more COVID circulation in November, December, and January.”

Meanwhile in Japan, the government plans to end free COVID vaccines by March 2024 and is considering routine inoculations for the elderly. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has decided not to extend the special exemption program for COVID-19 vaccines under Japan’s Immunization Act, which expires at the end of March 2024. This decision comes after deliberation by a health ministry expert committee.

For individuals at high risk of developing severe symptoms, such as those aged 65 and above, the health ministry is contemplating designating the vaccines as “routine inoculations” alongside seasonal flu vaccines. They propose administering these vaccinations once during the fall and winter seasons, with a portion of the cost covered by a government subsidy. Some local governments may also provide financial assistance to cover out-of-pocket expenses for routine inoculations.

Meanwhile, vaccinations will be voluntary for those aged under 65 and others, who will likely have to pay for inoculations themselves. The health ministry previously treated COVID-19 shots as a “special exception for temporary vaccination” due to the urgent need to prevent infection spread. Originally set to expire in March 2023, the program’s deadline was extended to March 2024.

As of May of the current year, COVID-19’s legal status was downgraded to category 5 under Japan’s infectious disease control law. The health ministry’s expert committee will discuss the policy for fiscal 2024 based on the absence of indications of an increase in severe cases of the XBB omicron subvariant, which has become predominant.