COVID Information

New COVID virus variants continue to pose a risk.1 Take action to help protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID this fall and winter season.

*Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s leading public health agency, show that COVID hospitalizations continue to increase in the U.S.2 Although COVID is no longer considered a public health emergency, it remains an ongoing health concern for Americans.3

Vaccines help protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying from COVID.4 In fact, the CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an updated COVID vaccine.4 Staying up to date with COVID vaccines is especially important for the elderly and people with severe health conditions.5

You and your loved ones have the opportunity to help protect yourselves from COVID and the flu by getting vaccinated.6 Ask your healthcare provider about your vaccine options.

*Data as of September 16, 2023

Change (%) in COVID New Hospital Admissions from Prior Week by State/Territory in the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID Data Tracker. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2023, September 16. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker2

Discover COVID Vaccine Options

Life's full of choices. Vaccination helps make them possible.

This fall and winter season, updated vaccine options are available, including protein-based and mRNA options.4

Protein-based vaccines use small pieces of the virus protein to help your immune system recognize the virus.7 Once the immune system knows how to recognize the virus, it will be able to respond quickly to the actual virus and help protect you.7 mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach your cells how to make a protein similar to the one on the virus—then your immune system can learn to recognize it as a target.7

Protein-based vaccines use the same technology that is used in similar vaccines such as those for influenza (flu), hepatitis B, and shingles.8 mRNA vaccines have been studied in other diseases, such as Ebola and Zika.9

FAQS

So, which vaccine option is right for me and my loved ones?
You have choices.

When it comes to getting your COVID vaccine, there are two types of vaccines to choose from, a protein-based vaccine or mRNA vaccines.4

Should my loved ones and I get a COVID vaccine this fall and winter season?

Answer

The virus that causes COVID continues to change1 and may cause disruptions to our way of life. Getting vaccinated against COVID is one of the best ways to help protect yourself and loved ones.4 Ask your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options.

Who should get a COVID vaccine?

Answer

The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an updated COVID vaccine.4 This is especially important for the elderly and people with severe health conditions.5 Ask your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options.

When is the best time to get a COVID vaccine?

Answer

Vaccination remains an important tool to help protect against COVID.10 It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best time to receive a COVID vaccine to help protect yourself this season.

Why is it important to stay up to date with a COVID vaccine?

Answer

As of September 16, 2023, data from the CDC show that COVID hospitalizations continue to increase in the U.S.,2 and COVID remains an ongoing health concern for Americans. 3

COVID vaccination helps protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying from COVID.4 Vaccines are especially important for populations like the elderly and those with weakened immune systems who are at an increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID.5

Can you choose a different type of vaccine if you've previously been vaccinated with another?

Answer

Your next COVID vaccine doesn’t have to be the same type as your last one.4 Talk to your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options.

If I already had COVID and recovered, do I still need to get a COVID vaccine?

Answer

According to the CDC, you should get a COVID vaccine even if you already had COVID.11 Talk to your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options.

Can I get my COVID and flu shots at the same time?

Answer

According to the CDC, there is no recommended waiting period between getting a COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine.6 Ask your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options. If you’re already planning to get a flu shot, you can also discuss how to add a COVID vaccine to your appointment.

What happens if the variant changes? Will I have to get another vaccine?

Answer

As of September 15, 2023, public health officials have indicated that an annual COVID vaccine can help protect against current and emerging variants.4 Talk to your healthcare provider about your COVID vaccine options.

For more information about the latest COVID variant, please visit www.CDC.gov and speak with your healthcare provider about ways to help protect yourself and your loved ones.

What are some questions I should ask my healthcare provider about my COVID vaccine choices?

Answer

  • What are my COVID vaccine options?
  • If I already had COVID and recovered, do I still need to get a COVID vaccine?
  • Can I get my COVID and flu shots at the same time?
  • If I am immunocompromised and/or 65 years and older, are there any precautions I should consider before choosing a COVID vaccine?

Print and bring the COVID Vaccine Guide to your appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the COVID vaccine options available for you.

Download COVID Vaccine GuideOpens in a new window.

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-classifications.html

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID Data Tracker. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Surveillance After Expiration of the Public Health Emergency Declaration ― United States, May 11, 2023. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7219e1.htm?s_mm7219e1_w

4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19: People with Certain Medical Conditions. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time. Accessed September 18, 2023. https:// www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/coadministration.htm .

7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html

8 Cid R, Bolívar J. Platforms for Production of Protein-Based Vaccines: From Classical to Next-Generation Strategies. Biomolecules. 2021 Jul 21;11(8):1072. doi: 10.3390/biom11081072. PMID: 34439738; PMCID: PMC8394948.

9 Fang E, Liu X, Li M, Zhang Z, Song L, Zhu B, Wu X, Liu J, Zhao D, Li Y. Advances in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine development. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Mar 23;7(1):94. doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-00950-y. PMID: 35322018; PMCID: PMC8940982.

10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5 Reasons It Is Important for Adults to Get Vaccinated. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/reasons-to-vaccinate.html

11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.