Recommendation for Older US Adults to Receive Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended that older adults in the United States receive another COVID-19 shot, even if they received a booster in the fall. Americans 65 and older are advised to get another dose of the updated vaccine if at least four months have passed since their last shot. This additional dose can provide added protection for those at highest risk of severe illness from the virus.

While some doctors believe that older adults may already be adequately protected by the fall shot, which is built on immunity from earlier vaccinations and exposure to the virus, vaccine-induced defenses tend to fade over time, especially in seniors. This has led to the need for another booster to ensure ongoing protection against COVID-19, which remains a danger, especially to older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions.

The CDC recommends the new COVID-19 shot recipe, which is built against a version of the coronavirus called XBB.1.5. However, the vaccination rate for the new shots remains low, with only 13% of U.S. children and 22% of U.S. adults having received them so far. Agency officials highlight the effectiveness of the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine in reducing sickness after exposure to the virus compared to those who did not receive the fall shot.

With the ongoing threat of COVID-19, particularly to vulnerable populations, it is crucial that older adults follow the CDC’s recommendation to receive another dose of the vaccine to ensure their continued protection against the virus. The updated vaccine offers improved immunity against the latest variants of the coronavirus and can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.