The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults who are 65 or older receive an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine if they received an initial dose in late 2023 or early 2024.
Data continues to show the importance of vaccination to protect those most at risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19. An additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine may restore protection that has waned since a fall vaccine dose, providing increased protection to adults ages 65 years and older.
Adults 65 years and older are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with more than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations during October 2023 to December 2023 occurring in this age group.
The new recommendation builds on earlier CDC guidance that patients who are immunocompromised also receive an additional dose of the updated vaccine.
Employees who are covered under the VUMC Aetna health plan can receive the additional dose for free. Other employees and patients should check with their insurance providers to understand what they may be charged for a vaccine.