4th Covid vaccine approved as a new variant spreads

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - People might be able to get a fourth kind of Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. soon as Novavax now has FDA emergency use authorization.

The CDC is expected to recommend it as soon as this month and it's unlike the other three vaccines -- because it uses protein fragments to teach the body how to fight Covid.

If you're vaccinated against Hepatitis B or whooping cough, you've probably already had a vaccine that works like this.

The latest variants weren't around when Novavax developed its vaccine, but the company says it appears to have a broad immune system response to the BA.5 Omicron offshoot.

Experts say getting vaccinated is your best protection against severe illness and if you haven't gotten boosted this year, they say your immunity is probably waning.

Right now you can only get a second booster if you're over age 50 or in certain high-risk groups, but the FDA is considering whether to expand eligibility.