Vaccine Recommendations

On February 28, 2024, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to reflect the latest research and clarify guidance.

What recommendations changed?

• The CDC recommends that adults 65 years and older who have only received one 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine does should get an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The additional dose should be given at least two months after the last updated dose to strengthen immunity against serious COVID-19 outcomes. Previously, the guidance for the adults in this age group was that they could receive an additional dose if recommended by their healthcare provider.

What recommendations have stayed the same?

• The CDC recommends the use of the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines only. The original 2021 vaccines only target the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, and the updated vaccines target the currently circulating variants.
• Vaccine guidance for people under the age of 65 years has not changed. The CDC recommends that everyone age six months and older get an updated vaccine. You’re considered up to date with the latest COVID-19 vaccination if you have received the updated vaccine that became available in September 2023.
• Children who have not yet gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine should complete their vaccine series as soon as possible. Visit the CDC’s website for details about vaccine recommendations for children under the age of 18 years old. Consult with your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions about what vaccines they can receive.
• The updated vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax are used as the primary series for people who haven’t yet been vaccinated.
• People between the age of 12 to 64 who are immunocompromised can receive an additional updated vaccine dose at least two months after their last updated vaccine dose. People in this group who have questions about getting an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose should speak with their healthcare.
• People who are immunocompromised and are under the age of 65 years can receive additional updated vaccine doses with healthcare provider approval.

Updated March 11, 2024 

COVID-19 vaccines have prevented many deaths and hospitalizations, but the illness is still a public health risk. In 2022, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is still a leading cause of severe illness and death, particularly for older adults and people who are immunocompromised. COVID-19 disproportionately impacts adults 65 years and older. More than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations from October to December 2023 occurred among people in this age group.

To protect this group and others with severe risk of illness, CDC health experts continue to recommend an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine to adults with compromised immune systems, especially those 65 years and older. This extra dose restores critical immune protection, which may have weakened since their last recommended dose.

In the same way that health experts track the flu and other common illnesses, these experts will continue to monitor COVID-19 and recommend measures to stay safe and healthy. 

CDC continues to advise the public to practice precautions such as receiving updated COVID-19 vaccines, using at-home rapid antigen tests if you’ve been exposed and develop symptoms, staying home and isolating if you’re sick, and wearing a high-quality mask, as needed, when in public indoor areas.

Updated March 11, 2024