In late August, the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The updated vaccine targets the currently circulating variants of COVID-19.

Who should get the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. It is especially important for those who are older than age 65, immunocompromised or otherwise considered medically high-risk, living in a long-term care facility, pregnant, or planning to get pregnant.

When should you get the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

The best time to get the updated vaccine is the most convenient time for you. The minimum interval between the last 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is 8 weeks. You can receive the COVID-19 vaccination along with your flu vaccination.

If you have had COVID-19 recently, you can wait three months before getting the updated vaccine.

What is different about this updated COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 is a type of virus that mutates and changes over time to form new subvariants. These new subvariants have the ability to escape both natural and vaccine-based immunity. The updated COVID-19 vaccine was created to target the most current circulating strains of COVID-19. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death and can even reduce the chance of developing long COVID.

Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, will help pay for the vaccine. Stamford Health is offering the updated vaccine through our Stamford Health Medical Group primary care practices as well as Walk-In Centers in Stamford (at Harbor Point and Long Ridge Road). Please call your provider to schedule a vaccination.