What are the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for receiving the Covid-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 Vaccination: Current CDC Guidelines

All individuals aged 6 months and older should receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of prior vaccination history. 1, 2

Who Should Get Vaccinated

• Everyone aged ≥6 months is recommended to receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine 1, 2
• This includes individuals who have previously been vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine series 1, 2
• The recommendation applies to both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, though dosing schedules differ 2

Standard Dosing for Immunocompetent Individuals

Adults and adolescents (≥12 years):

• One dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine is needed to be up to date 2
• Wait at least 8 weeks after your last COVID-19 vaccine dose before receiving the 2024-2025 vaccine 1, 2
• Available vaccine options include Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax 2
• You do not need to match the manufacturer of your previous vaccines 1, 2

Children (5-11 years):

• One dose of 2024-2025 mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) 2

Young children (6 months-4 years):

• Require a multidose initial vaccination series if receiving COVID-19 vaccination for the first time 2

Enhanced Dosing for Immunocompromised Individuals

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised:

• You should receive at least 1 dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine, with additional doses often recommended 2
• If unvaccinated and aged 6 months-11 years: receive a 3-dose initial series of the same manufacturer's mRNA vaccine 2
• Cancer patients are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised and should follow enhanced vaccination schedules 2
• Ideally, vaccination should occur at least 2 weeks before starting or resuming immunosuppressive therapies 3, 2

Special Timing Considerations

If you recently had COVID-19:

• You may consider delaying vaccination by 3 months after symptom onset or positive test 1, 2
• This allows your natural immune response to mature before additional vaccination 1

If you are pregnant:

• Vaccination in the third trimester can be considered soon after vaccine becomes available 4

If you have cancer or are receiving cancer treatment:

• COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all persons with cancer or previously treated for cancer 3
• For those aged ≥6 months who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (including hematopoietic cell transplant recipients), get 2 or 3 doses of the same brand of updated vaccine 3
• Vaccination is recommended 6 months post-transplant, with consideration for early vaccination at 3 months during community outbreaks 3

Why the 2024-2025 Vaccine Matters

The 2024-2025 vaccines are updated monovalent formulations specifically developed against current circulating variants (Omicron JN.1-line, including JN.1 and KP.2), providing better protection than previous vaccine series 1, 2

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not delay vaccination beyond the recommended 8-week interval, as this prolongs suboptimal protection 2
• Do not assume prior vaccination is sufficient—the updated 2024-2025 formulation is recommended for everyone regardless of vaccination history 1, 2
• Do not overlook immunocompromised status, which warrants additional doses beyond the standard single dose 2
• Do not routinely order antibody testing to assess immunity post-vaccination or to determine need for vaccination 3

After Vaccination

• Continue to follow all public health guidelines regarding physical distancing and other preventive measures 3
• Household members and close contacts should also receive COVID-19 vaccination to create a "cocooning effect" of protection 3