The newly updated covid and flu vaccinations are starting to become available to the public.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved the new covid and flu vaccines for the 2024-25 season. She notes that these vaccines are recommended for anyone six months and older. Wolf tells Raccoon Valley Radio because of last year’s rocky rollout of the covid vaccine having to go through insurance instead of being free from the federal government, they have decided to begin a new program this fall.

Wolf announces the start of the Vaccines for Adults program for individuals who are 19 and older. She points out this new program allows for people who do not have health insurance or who are under insured to receive not only the covid vaccine, but all other vaccines that Greene County Public Health provides at very little to no cost. 

“This is really huge. Because for years and years we’ve always wondered, ‘Well what do we do about the people that can’t afford the vaccine?’ And now we have a solution. We have a way to protect them, the individuals who really need it, but couldn’t access due to cost.” 

These vaccines are currently available at some pharmacies and Wolf adds more information will be released later this fall about the Vaccines for Adults program.