The CDC currently recommends that everyone who is at least 6 months old should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Currently, updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Moderna and Pfizer.

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 Omicron variant XBB subvariant of SARS-CoV-2.

The updated Novavax COVID-19 (2023-2024 formula) is available for everyone 12 and older under an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. 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.

The updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines use the XBB strain of Omicron as the targeted virus for the new formulation. The XBB strain has been widely circulating for most of 2023.

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 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 and Pfizer are fully FDA-approved for everyone 12 and older, and they remain under Emergency Use Authorization for children 6 months to 11 years old. The updated Novavax COVID-19 (2023-2024 formula) is available for everyone 12 and older under an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

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.