Current COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19 and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. This includes primary series, booster shots and additional doses for those who need them.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have each created an updated booster dose formula designed to protect against original strains of the virus, as well as Omicron variants that cause most new infections.

The CDC recommends people 5 and older receive an age-appropriate, updated mRNA booster dose if at least 2 months have passed since their primary series or since their most recent booster dose. Updated boosters of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna contain a bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and also protects against the newer Omicron variants.

The latest CDC recommendations on booster doses help to ensure more people across the U.S. are better protected against COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted if eligible. Vaccination and boosting are particularly important for individuals more at risk for severe COVID-19, such as older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

See additional recommendations for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.