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Here's what to know about COVID vaccine availability and new variant in Georgia

Stories by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer journalists, with AI summarization

Are you confused by all the news surrounding COVID-19 variants and vaccines? Here are three things you need to know:

1. The new Stratus variant has spread quickly in Georgia and evades immunity.

2. The FDA restricted COVID-19 vaccine access to certain age and health groups, making it complicated for many in Georgia.

3. Seasonal challenges of differentiating COVID-19, flu, and allergies arise, urging awareness and appropriate precautions. The Georgia Department of Public Health suggests staying informed through official channels.

Read more in the stories below:

It is vital that people with heart disease get vaccinated against common infectious diseases like COVID-19, influenza and RSV, a new clinical guideline says. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

NO. 1: HERE’S WHO IN GA CAN GET A COVID VACCINE FOLLOWING LATEST FEDERAL RULE CHANGES

In a post to the social media platform X, secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. | Published August 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sundi Rose

A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccination. (Carlin Stiehl/The Los Angeles Times/TNS)

NO. 2: THIS NEW COVID-19 VARIANT IS SPREADING ACROSS GA. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS? ARE THERE VACCINES AVAILABLE?

The onset of cold and flu season includes the beginning of COVID season, and that means the introduction of new variations. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sundi Rose

A new COVID-19 variant, XFG, is spreading across the United States, CDC data shows.

NO. 3: HERE’S HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE COVID, FLU OR GA ALLERGIES THIS FALL

This time of the year, everyone is sneezing and coughing, but this is also the time when COVID and flu rates start to rise. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sundi Rose

New COVID variant found. Here’s what to know.

NO. 4: NEW COVID VARIANT FOUND. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SYMPTOMS, TESTING IN GA

As fall begins, so does the flu, allergy and COVID season. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chelsea Madden

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.