iPod touch 7th Gen

Will there be an update for iPod touch 7th generation to iOS 16.2? With the current software I can’t retrieve or send messages, download apps from Apple store or do much of anything on my iPod touch 7th generation. iPod needs to be updated to iOS 16.2 or later in order for me to do this. Can someone advise asap if there will be an update to iOS 16.2 or if there is a work around for this. I have some apps I really need to get from the Apple Store. 

Thanks

Bill