What you need to know
- Updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved and available now at pharmacies.
- If it’s been more than two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or more than three months since your last infection, you can get an updated COVID-19 vaccine now.
- You can get updated COVID-19 vaccines for free through Medicare, Medicaid, and many private health insurance companies. Uninsured or underinsured children can get vaccinated through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children program.
In late August, the FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for the 2024-2025 virus season. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines is critical as the summer infection wave continues and another winter surge is likely.
The CDC recommends everyone get a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to stay protected. Read on to learn more about the updated COVID-19 vaccines: where they’re available, when and why you should get yours, and more.
When and where will the updated vaccines be available?
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available now at pharmacies. They’re also expected to be available soon at doctor’s offices and health centers. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and this year’s flu shot at the same time.
Find pharmacies near you at Vaccines.gov.
Who should get an updated vaccine, and how many doses are recommended?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines are approved for people 6 months and older, and Novavax’s vaccine is approved for those 12 years and older.
Most people only need one dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of which manufacturer’s vaccines you’ve received before. Children 6 months to 4 years and people who are immunocompromised may require additional vaccine doses. Talk to your health care provider about how many doses you and your children need for the best protection.
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
If it’s been more than two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or more than three months since your last infection, you can get an updated vaccine now. If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, talk to your health care provider about the best vaccination schedule for you based on your individual situation.
It’s safe to get your annual flu shot at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine.
How much do the updated COVID-19 vaccines cost?
You can get updated COVID-19 vaccines for free through Medicare, Medicaid, and many private health insurance companies.
Uninsured or underinsured children can get vaccinated for free through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children program. Uninsured adults may be able to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine for free at some health centers or can pay for an updated COVID-19 vaccine out of pocket, although it may cost up to $200.
Do I still need an updated vaccine if I’ve previously been vaccinated or if I’ve had COVID-19 before?
Yes. The virus that causes COVID-19 evolves continuously, so the protection we get from previous vaccines and infections wanes over time. The newly updated COVID-19 vaccines target a subvariant that was dominant earlier this year and is very similar to the subvariants that are circulating now.
If you’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s never too late to start building protection. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you haven’t received any of the previous vaccines.
What are the benefits of staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines?
Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines protects you against severe illness, hospitalization, long COVID, and death. Long COVID affects roughly one in 10 people who contract the virus.
Getting vaccinated also helps those around you: When people who are able to get vaccinated do so, that protects vulnerable community members, such as newborns, who can’t get vaccinated.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
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.