Updated COVID vaccines
The CDC currently recommends that most people 18 and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and that parents of children 6 months to 17 years old talk to their pediatrician about the benefits of the shot for their child. COVID-19 vaccines are updated regularly to protect against the variants that are in circulation.
Currently, updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax.
The updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are mRNA vaccines (similar to their prior COVID-19 vaccines) that use tiny parts called messenger RNA (mRNA) carried in very tiny lipid particles. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines differ in the way the mRNA is built or the way the lipids are used. The updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2.
The updated Novavax COVID-19 is available for everyone 12 and older. The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, which injects a small piece of the COVID-19 virus to stimulate your immune system. Your body then produces antibodies so it can better fight off the virus if you become infected in the future.
While the updated vaccine is not technically considered a booster, it may be referred to as a booster in media reports and elsewhere. However, we foresee the COVID vaccine becoming an annual vaccine, just like the flu vaccine.
All of the available COVID vaccines have shown similar efficacy in studies.
For adults, Moderna and Pfizer are a single dose.
For children 5 years old and younger, Moderna is a two-dose series and Pfizer is a three-dose series. For children 12 to 17 years old, Novavax is a single dose for children who have previously received the COVID vaccine.
For moderately or severely immunocompromised adults, additional doses may be recommended, and people who fall into these categories should discuss COVID-19 dosing with their primary care provider.
The updated COVID vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are fully FDA-approved for everyone 12 and older. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines remain under Emergency Use Authorization for children 6 months to 11 years old.
Yes, please let your care team know if you get an updated dose of the vaccine, so we have an accurate report of your vaccination status in your health records.