What to know about Pfizer and Moderna's latest COVID-19 vaccines

AUSTIN (KXAN) — COVID-19 cases are on the rise once again, with the number of emergency room visits increasing since May, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

To counter new forms of the virus, FDA approved updated vaccines from both Pfizer and Moderna last week.

These new vaccines specifically target the KP.2 strain, a descendant of the Omicron variant.

"The strain for COVID continues to mutate and change over the course of the infections we've had the past three years," Dr. Magda Gabriel with the Northwestern Medical Group said. "It definitely gives us a little better boost and fight for the upcoming winter season."

As flu season approaches, Gabriel said there is no reason not to get both COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time. Gabriel addressed concerns over the safety and effectiveness of the new vaccine and pointed to higher hospitalization rates for the unvaccinated.

"We do see a lot of benefits, decreased hospitalization, and minimizing death rate," Gabriel said.

Neither Pfizer nor Moderna gave a release date for their vaccines, but Moderna said it expects the vaccine to be ready in the "coming days."

The maker of the vaccine does not matter, though Gabriel recommended sticking with the company from which you got your last shot.