COVID-19 is once again mutating and evolving — and public health officials are working to keep up.

A new round of vaccines are now live and will soon be available in New York state.

Spectrum News 1 has been checking in with pharmacies and local health officials to find out how shots will be rolled out.

Three and a half years into the pandemic and many New Yorkers are feeling some form of COVID or vaccine “fatigue.”

That being said, the message from those who work to keep us healthy: the most important defense at this point is the information.

According to the state Department of Health’s website, 77% of eligible New Yorkers have the original series of COVID vaccinations — while just over 15% are up to date.

Public health leaders say the idea isn't to mandate vaccines, but urge people to stay aware of seasonal risks and get shots when needed, like with the flu. With new COVID strains still emerging, county leaders are looking to experts to keep up with the changes.

“Scientists are really able to match the virus and the vaccine to the virus that is circulating in the community, just like the flu,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Gale Burstein. “So think of this as very similar to the flu vaccine. So this is probably a formulation that is going to change every year like the flu vaccine formulation.”

Education is one thing — availability is another. Burstein hopes that this round of vaccines, available to all New Yorkers regardless of insurance status, will help bring people into pharmacies and spots available for appointments.

Pharmacies that have been part of the front lines against this pandemic will be stocking up and getting needles into arms, and there are sure to be community organizations that will help our most vulnerable and least mobile to get out to locations where people can get up to date and protect themselves from future strains.