January 6, 2023
Do I need the new COVID-19 booster?
A physician answers some common questions about the current state of the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination.
Even if you have received your original booster, the CDC recommends you get an updated booster, if eligible.
While the COVID-19 primary vaccines and the original boosters have been effective at preventing people from getting severely sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that people age 5 years and older get an updated COVID-19 booster for better protection against more recent omicron variants. The variants currently causing the most cases in the U.S. are predicted to continue to circulate this fall and winter.
The CDC advises people to stay up to date by receiving all recommended COVID-19 primary vaccines (which are now available for anyone 6 months or older) and boosters when eligible. The CDC has also expanded access to the updated vaccine to children age 6 months to 4 years. Kaiser Permanente members should check kp.org for availability of vaccination appointments for the updated boosters. COVID-19 vaccination locations can also be found at vaccines.gov.
“The updated COVID-19 boosters have been designed to better protect against the newer variants,” said Craig Robbins, MD, medical director for the Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute’s Center for Clinical Information Services and Education. “The newer versions of the booster strengthen the protection that has decreased since previous vaccination.”
The CDC advises people to stay up to date by receiving all recommended COVID-19 primary vaccines (which are now available for anyone 6 months or older) and boosters when eligible. Kaiser Permanente members should check kp.org for availability of vaccination appointments for the updated boosters. COVID-19 vaccination locations can also be found at vaccines.gov.
It’s also important to get the seasonal flu shot. It’s safe to get the flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time. And it’s best to get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before traveling or getting together with family and friends.
It’s especially important for kids to stay up to date on COVID-19 and flu vaccinations this year as cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV — or respiratory syncytial virus — are already on the rise. And there isn’t yet a vaccination for RSV.
Dr. Robbins answers questions below about the updated boosters and vaccinations and how to reduce risks. For answers to additional questions, please visit kp.org/covidvaccine.
Who can get a booster, and when should they get it?
The CDC recommends people age 5 years and older get an updated COVID-19 booster.
Who can get it? |
Which one? |
When are you eligible? |
Anyone 6 months to 4 years who is currently completing the Pfizer primary vaccination series |
Updated Pfizer primary vaccine |
Children 6 months through 4 years who have received 2 primary doses of the original Pfizer vaccine can receive the updated vaccine as a third primary dose |
Anyone 6 months to 5 years who has completed the 2-shot Moderna primary vaccination |
Updated Moderna booster |
2 months after primary vaccination (2-shot series) with Moderna |
5-year-olds who have completed 2-dose Pfizer primary vaccination |
Updated Pfizer booster |
2 months after primary vaccination (2-shot series) with Pfizer |
Anyone 6 years or older |
Updated Pfizer or updated Moderna booster |
2 months after primary vaccination (2-shot series with Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax or single-dose J&J*) or most recent original booster |
*People 18 or older should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and that this risk has not been seen with the 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) or the Novavax vaccine. For more information, visit the CDC vaccine page.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines and how to find an appointment in your area, visit kp.org/covidvaccine
Why are these updated booster shots necessary if the vaccines are effective?
The COVID-19 vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, public health experts are seeing reduced protection over time against mild and moderate disease. The updated COVID-19 boosters provide protection against some of the more-recently circulating COVID-19 variants.
I’m vaccinated and have received an updated booster. Should I still be worried about getting sick?
Even if you get an updated booster shot, we strongly encourage you to take steps to protect yourself and your community. The CDC recommends continued mask use in public indoor spaces in communities where the COVID-19 community level is high. Also, you should still wear a mask if you wish to be cautious, if you are personally at high risk, or when you are with people who are at higher risk, for severe illness. And regardless of local conditions, you should wear a mask if you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Can I spread the coronavirus if I’ve received a primary vaccine series and been boosted?
While people who have received a primary vaccine series and been boosted (meaning they are considered “up to date”) are less likely to transmit the coronavirus to other people, it is still possible to spread the virus. Please get tested if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even after your COVID-19 vaccinations are ”up to date”. Taking a home antigen test is the quickest and easiest way to find out if you have COVID-19 and might infect others.
How can I help protect my community?
Protecting yourself by getting vaccinated also protects the community and the people around you, especially those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
In addition, many of the precautions doctors recommend to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can also help protect you from flu and RSV:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Sneeze or cough into your arm
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home when you are sick
When you take such precautions, it also protects people who can’t get vaccinated, including people with weakened immune systems from things like chemotherapy for cancer.
You can also encourage friends and family members who are 6 months and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible and boosted as soon as they are eligible. They can get a no-cost COVID-19 vaccination or booster at Kaiser Permanente or any authorized vaccination provider. Both members and nonmembers can go to kp.org/covidvaccine or call our KP COVID Vaccine InfoLine at 1-855-550-0951, available 24/7, for the latest information and to make an appointment.
