Should I Get a COVID Vaccine?

The FDA recently approved a new formulation of the mRNA COVID vaccine made by Pfizer and Moderna. The new vaccine targets XBB.1.5, a strain which is a subvariant of Omicron that dominated the United States and the world until earlier in this year.

Is the vaccine helpful in preventing infection?

Like our yearly influenza vaccine, the COVID vaccine is not expected to prevent all cases of infection, but they help in reducing the risk of getting seriously ill and dying due to COVID 19 infection.

Who should get the vaccine?

People older than the age of 50, immunocompromised individuals and folks with other chronic medical conditions like diabetes and obesity are at higher risk of severe disease from COVID 19 infection, and should consider getting vaccinated this fall.

When should I get the vaccine?

COVID 19 infections usually increase in the colder winter months of November-January. Getting vaccinated in the fall allows our body time to build up immunity in time for the winter COVID season.

What if I recently got COVID-19 infection?

People who got a recent COVID-19 infection can consider delaying their COVID-19 vaccine dose by 3 months.

Will the updated COVID vaccine protect against the latest variants of the virus?

Lab studies show that the updated vaccine produces a strong immune response against EG.5 (Eris) strain, which now makes up >30% of all infections in the US. 

Will there be a new COVID vaccine next year?

The FDA plans to review and update the formulation of COVID 19 vaccines every year, similar to what is done for influenza vaccines.