What to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccine

Signs of fall are all around us: school is back in session, and temperatures are finally starting to drop.

Another sign of fall? Updated vaccine recommendations. In late August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that will be available this fall. Although vaccines may seem a bit less festive than other fall staples, they play an important role in keeping us safe and healthy heading into winter when respiratory virus rates tend to rise.

As MD Anderson’s Chief Infection Control Officer, I often get questions about what these vaccine updates mean and whom these vaccines are recommended for. Here, I share answers to some frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions.

What's new about the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine?

Last year's vaccine targeted different variants in the COVID-19 family tree. Some of these strains are no longer circulating. This updated vaccine is designed to better target recent virus strains and, hopefully, those we may encounter this winter. 

I got the COVID-19 vaccine last year. Do I need another one?  

Most individuals have some degree of immunity to COVID-19 from prior infections or vaccinations. However, that protection wanes over time. This can leave you susceptible to getting COVID-19 again. 

The recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccine targets recent virus strains that weren't covered in last year’s COVID-19 updated vaccine. Eligible individuals should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall to provide better protection against currently circulating variants. 

Who should get the updated vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine whether or not they have ever previously been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Is the updated vaccine safe for cancer patients and survivors?

Yes, this updated vaccine is safe and recommended for cancer patients and survivors.

For individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, the CDC recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna updated COVID-19 vaccines to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.  

I’ve had side effects from past COVID-19 vaccines. Should I get this one?

If you’ve experienced side effects after getting a past COVID-19 vaccine, you might be wondering whether it's worth it to get the updated vaccine. In this case, there isn’t one right answer that applies to everyone. That’s why I recommend asking your health care provider. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of getting an updated vaccine depending on what kind of reaction you experienced in the past.

Some people have no side effects, while others can have serious side effects, like allergic reactions, that prevent them from getting the vaccine again. 

However, most of us fall somewhere in the middle. The CDC writes that common mild to moderate COVID-19 vaccine side effects include:

• headache
• fatigue 
• soreness at the spot the vaccine was given

In most cases, these side effects go away in a few days. 

While these side effects can be uncomfortable, it’s important to note that, for most people, it is perfectly safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Federal agencies such as the FDA and CDC continue to monitor the safety of these COVID-19 vaccines. 

As the CDC writes, “To date, hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense vaccine safety monitoring in United States history.”

When will the new COVID-19 vaccines be available?

The updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines are already available at some pharmacies and clinics and should be arriving more widely in the coming weeks. The date each clinic gets the updated vaccine varies, so the CDC recommends checking in with your provider directly. 

Are there any other vaccines that people should consider getting this fall?

Like last year, you can get this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the 2024-2025 flu vaccine.

Why is it still important to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

For me, one line from the CDC press release on the updated vaccine pinpoints why it is still so important to get the COVID-19 vaccine: “Last season, people who received a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine saw greater protection against illness and hospitalization than those who did not receive a 2023-2024 vaccine.”

That one short line gives me so much hope. This vaccine can keep us healthy and allow us to enjoy the parts of fall and winter that are important to us, whether that be staying active, spending the holidays with family, or simply keeping up with our normal daily lives.

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