Options for Covid Vaccines
When it comes to Covid vaccines, you have options. Find out what they are.
Nov 17, 2023
Jan 10, 2024
Prevention & ScreeningsHealthyWomen's Editorial Director
As HealthyWomen’s editorial director, Kim oversees the production of all content and ensures that it is aligned with our mission and meets our high editorial standards.
Kim is an editor and award-winning copywriter with more than 25 years of experience. She started her career as a copywriter and broadcast producer at the Southeast’s largest full-service advertising agency, The Tombras Group. Since then, she has worked for a wide variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to indie authors across multiple industries and topics.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in advertising from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She lives in Towson, Maryland, with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of pets.
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When it comes to Covid vaccines, you have options. Find out what they are.
Covid vaccination is the best way to help avoid serious illness, hospitalization and possibly even death from Covid.
Covid vaccines are generally well-tolerated and can give you peace of mind that you're helping to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What vaccines are available for adults?
A protein-based vaccine — made by Novavax
mRNA vaccines — made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
Current CDC guidelines state that people ages 5 and older should get 1 updated vaccine at least 2 months after their last dose of any previous Covid vaccine.
An updated vaccine is a 2023–2024 Covid vaccine that was approved or authorized for use during or after September 2023.
Can I mix and match vaccines?
Yes! Your next Covid vaccine doesn’t have to be the same type as your last one. So if you’ve already had an mRNA vaccine, you can get boosted with a protein-based vaccine. And vice versa.
If you choose this vaccine … | and are previously vaccinated, get: | and are not previously vaccinated, get: |
---|---|---|
Pfizer | 1 updated dose | 1 updated dose |
Moderna | 1 updated dose | 1 updated dose |
Novavax | 1 updated dose | 1 updated dose and a 2nd dose 8 weeks later |
If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, talk to your healthcare provider about additional vaccine doses you may need.
Accessing Covid vaccines
All Covid vaccines are free and available to everyone, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you can get free Covid vaccines through the Bridge Access Program. Find participating healthcare providers on vaccines.gov.
This information is current as of October 4, 2023. Recommendations change often. For the latest guidelines, visit the CDC website.