What you need to know
- COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are on the rise across the country. Since the virus poses a risk year round, taking precautions is always critical.
- New COVID-19 vaccines targeting more recently circulating subvariants will be available this fall, likely in September.
- Talk to your health care provider about whether you should get another COVID-19 vaccine now, or wait until the new vaccines are released this fall.
A summer COVID-19 wave is causing rising test positivity and hospitalizations across the country. A family of highly infectious subvariants known as “FLiRT” is driving the trend. Fortunately, updated vaccines targeting these subvariants will become available soon.
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read on to learn how we can stay safe during the summer surge and what we know so far about the updated COVID-19 vaccines coming this fall.
How can I protect myself during the current COVID-19 surge?
Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask to dramatically reduce your risk of inhaling respiratory virus particles and spreading viral particles to others.
If you’re hosting a gathering, opt to stay outside or take steps to improve indoor ventilation by opening windows and doors and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. You can also build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box, which can capture about 85 percent of infectious particles.
Ensure that you’re up to date on COVID-19 vaccines to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, long COVID, and death.
When will this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccines become available?
Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting more recently circulating subvariants will likely become available in August or September and are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
The updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will target KP.2—a currently circulating subvariant—and the updated Novavax vaccine will target JN.1, which was dominant earlier in the year.
I still haven’t received last year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine—should I get it now?
If you have not yet received last year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine, or if you are 65 or older or immunocompromised, you can get it now, before updated COVID-19 vaccines become available in the fall. Talk to your health care provider about the best course of action for you.
Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine says, “If you’ve not been at all vaccinated with the [vaccine] from the fall of 2023, you do have some risk with this current surge and might give serious thought to getting the currently available vaccine, especially if you are traveling or have underlying risk factors.”
If you’re 65 years or older and you recently got last year’s COVID-19 vaccine, or if you’re planning to get it in the near future, you’ll need to wait four months before getting the 2024-2025 updated COVID-19 vaccine in the fall.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.