What to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccines

It’s time to roll up your sleeve and get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved new versions of the COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older.

“Last fall the vaccines worked very well in both children and adults,” says Mary Fairchok, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. “The vaccines demonstrated 50 percent effectiveness against severe disease, which is comparable to the flu vaccine performance.”

As new COVID-19 strains circulate in our communities and we enter peak respiratory illness season, now is the time to ensure you and your family members are protected. Here are answers to common questions about the new shots.

Why do I need to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is always mutating (or changing), creating new variants. The vaccines have been reformulated to better target the variants and subvariants currently responsible for most infections in our communities. Your immunity — whether from a previous shot or infection — also naturally wanes over time, particularly after the six- to eight-month mark.

Many cases of COVID-19 are mild, but some people, including those who are otherwise healthy, can get very sick. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2023, more than 900,000 people were hospitalized in the U.S. due to COVID-19, and more than 75,000 people died from the disease.

“The vaccines are designed to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death,” Dr. Fairchok says. “They also help protect against long COVID, which is when people experience new or ongoing symptoms after an infection.”

Another reason to get vaccinated? You’re less likely to infect someone else if you do get sick.

Which updated vaccine should I get?

Updated versions of the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) and the Novavax vaccine have been approved and are available. None of these vaccines are preferred over the other, according to the CDC. They are also interchangeable — if you’ve been vaccinated in the past, you do not have to get the same brand you used before.

Please note that Novavax is only approved for those 12 years and older.

What if I’ve never had a COVID-19 vaccine before?

People 12 and older who are unvaccinated should get one updated dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) OR two doses of the updated Novavax vaccine. You will then be considered up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Children 5 to 11 who have not been vaccinated should get one updated dose of Pfizer or Moderna to be considered up to date. (Children in this age group are not eligible for the Novavax vaccine.)

CDC pediatric vaccine recommendations

Visit the CDC website for vaccine recommendations for children 6 months to 4 years, or talk to your pediatrician.

What if I recently had COVID-19? 

You should still get an updated COVID-19 vaccine even if you’ve had a COVID-19 infection. However, the CDC recommends waiting three months after your infection to get vaccinated.

Why wait? After recovering from your infection, you already have some immunity, making it unlikely you will get reinfected in that three-month time frame. Waiting may also maximize the benefits of the vaccine.

“Accumulating evidence suggests that waiting at least three months after an infection to get your shot improves the body’s immune response to vaccination,” Dr. Fairchok says.

Can I get other immunizations at the same time as the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

The updated COVID-19 vaccine can be administered on the same day and during the same visit as most other immunizations, such as the flu vaccine.

However, if you’re over 60 and getting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, you may want to consider getting the RSV vaccine in a separate visit.

“The CDC says it’s safe to give the RSV vaccine at the same time as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines,” Dr. Fairchok says. “However, some studies suggest that people in this age group who get RSV and flu shots together may not produce as strong of an immune response as they would if they got them separately. We don’t have any data yet to indicate how getting COVID-19 and RSV shots at the same time might influence the body’s immune response.”

When should I get an updated COVID-19 vaccine?

If it has been at least three months since you were infected with COVID-19 — or received a COVID-19 vaccine — you should get an updated shot by the end of October so you’re adequately protected this winter, when cases of COVID-19 are likely to increase again, recommends Dr. Fairchok.

It takes approximately two to three weeks for your body to build up immunity after receiving the vaccine.

Where can I get an updated COVID-19 vaccine?

The new COVID-19 vaccines are available at MultiCare pharmacy locations (except for Navos locations) by appointment only. Please call your preferred location to make an appointment.

You can also visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine site near you.

If you’re seeking a vaccine for your child, we recommend first verifying that a particular site provides the updated COVID-19 vaccines for your child’s age group.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine free?

Most insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover the entire cost of COVID-19 vaccinations. Contact your individual insurance company to verify.

All children in Washington state can receive routine vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, at no cost from health care providers that participate in the Childhood Vaccine Program.

Adults who are uninsured or underinsured may be able to get a free COVID-19 shot through the Washington State Adult Vaccine Program.

COVID-19 testing and vaccination

Learn more

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in September 2021 and updated in September 2024.