Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Covid Boosters – what are they, who can get them and when?
The CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible stay up-to-date on vaccinations by getting an updated booster dose at least 2 months after their last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose, or since completing their primary series. Pfizer’s and Moderna’s updated vaccines are available for individuals as young as 6 months.
These new boosters contain an updated bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and also protects against the newer Omicron variants that account for most of the current cases.
Eligible individuals can get either the Pfizer or Moderna updated booster, regardless of whether their primary series or most recent dose was with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. As per the CDC’s recommendations, the new bivalent booster replaces the existing monovalent vaccine booster, therefore that vaccine will no longer be authorized for use as booster doses.
Novavax Booster: The Novavax vaccine is authorized as a first booster dose for adults, at least 6 months after completing primary vaccination with any authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Adults age 18 and older may choose to receive a Novavax booster instead of an updated Pfizer or Moderna booster if they are allergic to mRNA vaccines or they are otherwise inaccessible.
Q: Can I get the updated COVID-19 Booster If I’ve previously gotten a booster? What If I recently had COVID-19?
• Yes, the CDC recommends that everyone should get an updated COVID-19 booster to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. The same is true for people who completed their primary series or received one or two boosters: they should get an updated booster dose at least two months after their last shot.
• For maximum effectiveness of the updated booster dose, individuals who recently had COVID-19 may consider delaying any COVID-19 vaccination, including the updated booster dose, by 3 months from the start of their symptoms or positive test.
Q: Can I get the updated COVID-19 booster if I haven’t been vaccinated yet?
No. The updated bivalent formula is in use only for COVID-19 booster doses, and not for initial vaccination. The best way to protect yourself from getting severely ill from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends unvaccinated people complete their primary series (the initial two doses of either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), and then wait at least two months to get the updated Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. Adults age 18 and older also have the option to receive a Novavax booster instead of an updated Pfizer or Moderna booster if they are unable to receive mRNA vaccines and haven’t previously received any booster dose.
Q: Why do I need a vaccine if I have or had COVID-19?
Data show that immunity in people who have been infected with COVID-19 wanes over time. COVID-19 vaccination is effective in preventing reinfection in people who previously had COVID-19. One study, for example, showed that among people hospitalized with COVID-19, those who were previously infected with COVID-19 were 5 times more likely to get COVID-19 again if they were unvaccinated than people who were fully vaccinated.
The CDC recommends all people age 5 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, including people who were previously infected with the virus. New data show that COVID-19 vaccination can provide a higher, strong, and more consistent level of immunity to COVID-19 than antibodies from infection alone. Individuals who recently had COVID-19 should complete or updated their vaccine after 3 months.
Pediatric Vaccines
Q: What are the current recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for children?
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 6 months and older get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC also recommends the updated bivalent boosters for children at least 2 months after their second shot (except for children ages 6 months – 4 years who get the three-dose Pfizer series).
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The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 6 months to 17 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a three-shot series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. For more information on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for immunocompromised children and adolescents, follow the CDC’s guidelines here.
Q: Can children get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
Yes, it is safe for children and adolescents to get a COVID-19 vaccine and other routine vaccines, including the flu shot and other routine pediatric immunizations, during the same visit. The CDC recommends that all children and adolescents age 6 months and older remain up to date with routine vaccinations, and to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible.
Flu Vaccine
Q: Who should get a flu vaccine?
Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. If you’re at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, flu vaccination is especially important. These groups include:
- Adults 65 and older
- Adults with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney
- Pregnant people
- Children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
Q: Is it too late in the season to get a flu shot if I haven’t yet?
No. You should get a flu shot as soon as you can if you’re not yet vaccinated. Flu season starts in the fall, and most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February. The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated early in the season, ideally by October 30, but it’s not too late to get critical protection from the flu if you’re not yet vaccinated.
Q: Can I get my flu shot and COVID-19 booster the same day?
Yes. It is safe to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster the same day if you are eligible for both.