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Prompt vaccination with the updated COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025) is essential for bolstering immunity and safeguarding against the latest variants, especially given the current increase in cases and hospitalizations among high-risk groups.
Refresh your immunity now and stay protected!
Although over 75,000 people lost their lives to COVID-19 last year, only 22.5% of adults and 14% of children have received the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. With cases on the rise, the newly authorized 2024-2025 vaccines offer an essential opportunity for patients to revive immunity and stay protected.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sanctioned updated mRNA vaccines, as well as the protein-based version. These vaccines, designed to target the latest variants, are now available nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates that everyone aged six months and above get vaccinated to ensure the best defense against emerging coronavirus variants, similar to the yearly flu shot. A recent episode of "AMA Update" covered the criteria for eligibility, the timing of vaccinations, and the distinctions among various vaccine platforms.
Evolution of strains
The latest COVID-19 vaccine isn’t a brand-new formula; it’s a modification targeting evolving strains. Similar to the annual updates witnessed with the flu vaccine, this year's version reflects the changes in circulating variants.
Last year's vaccine was aimed at the Omicron XBB.1.5 strain, which is now outdated. This year strains of JN.1 lineage have been targeted, specifically focusing on strains like KP.2 and KP.3.1.1, which now dominate.
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility
While two-thirds of hospitalizations are among individuals 65 and older, no additional doses beyond the first are recommended for this age group—yet. People with immunocompromised conditions or young children (<5 years of age) may need more than one updated dose.
The CDC proposes that everyone six months and more must get immunized (or vaccinated). However, only people under 12 are approved to receive the mRNA vaccines, while the newly developed protein-based vaccine (produced by replicating the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2) is solely authorized for individuals aged 12 and above.
Timing of the vaccine
The timing of the vaccine depends on prior doses and infections. Those getting mRNA vaccines should wait at least 2 months after their last dose, or 3 months if they've recently recovered from COVID. The recipients of the updated protein-based vaccine should follow a similar two-month waiting period, with some adjustments depending on their previous vaccination history.
The FDA's guidelines for the updated protein-based vaccine vary based on the vaccine type and the number of doses received. Individuals may receive a dose of this vaccine at least 2 months after their previous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose. Alternatively, they can get the updated protein-based vaccine at least two months after finishing a two-dose primary series, which can also be completed using the updated vaccine.
AMA
Updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines: who should get them—and when
Jennifer Lubell
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