The CDC now recommends that everyone aged months and older receive the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine to maintain protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death This updated guidance comes as immunity from previous vaccinations and infections is known to decrease over time, making it especially important for those over 65, individuals at high risk, and anyone who has never been vaccinated to get the latest shot.
Currently, two types of COVID-19 vaccines are available in the U.S.: mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax, both fully licensed for ages and up) and the protein subunit vaccine Novavax, authorized for emergency use in people and older For children under, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are authorized.
The CDC continues to monitor vaccine safety through multiple systems and reports that the mRNA vaccines have not shown increased risks for rare side effects like Guillain-Barré syndrome, unlike the discontinued J&J/Janssen vaccine Adverse reactions can be reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and anyone experiencing severe symptoms is urged to seek immediate medical attention.
While the CDC’s updated recommendations are clear about who should get vaccinated and when, many Americans are still waiting for more details on how the new vaccine rollout will address access, insurance coverage, and potential future variants. For now, staying up to date remains the best defense against COVID-19’s most serious risks.
