John,

Good news: Everyone ages 12 and up can now get a free updated COVID booster shot.

The CDC recommends regular COVID boosters because our immunity wanes over time, and vaccines are our best protection against getting seriously ill or dying from COVID. These updated boosters are especially important because they help protect not only against the original COVID strain, but also the extra-contagious current strains that now make up almost all cases in the U.S—known as BA.4 and BA.5.  

These new “bivalent” boosters are available for people who have already completed their initial COVID vaccine series. The CDC recommends waiting until at least two months after your last vaccine or booster, and waiting until at least three months after a COVID infection.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or clinic near you, go to vaccines.gov.

The site now has a search filter for the “newly authorized bivalent” booster options, which will show pharmacies and clinics offering the updated boosters. If you can’t find an appointment near you, check with your healthcare provider or local health department.

Since the flu is also circulating, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot at the same time as getting a booster shot. Many pharmacies and clinics will offer this option.

If you have a vaccination card that notes your prior COVID vaccinations, remember to bring it with you so it can get updated.

Note: If you have not yet gotten vaccinated against COVID, the original “monovalent” vaccines are recommended. The original boosters are also recommended for people ages 5-11 who’ve completed their initial COVID vaccine series at least 5 months ago.

In addition to staying up-to-date with COVID vaccinations, experts recommend other preventative measures such as wearing well-fitting masks indoors and testing regularly.

We’re also in the midst of a monkeypox outbreak. The CDC recommends waiting four weeks between receiving the monkeypox vaccine and the COVID vaccine, because of a potential complication. So if you just got vaccinated for monkeypox, you may want to hold off on getting the COVID vaccine right now. If you have a known exposure to monkeypox, experts recommend getting the monkeypox vaccine even if you recently got a Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine.

I hope you and your loved ones can stay safe during these public health crises. I will keep fighting for COVID funding, quality healthcare for all, an end to medical debt, and more in Congress.

Always serving you,

Rashida