Peak COVID-19 season might be on its way, but with multiple vaccines to choose from, we’re in a much better place than we were in 2020.
What else has changed since that fateful year? Here’s the good news: The science surrounding COVID-19, vaccine formulas, and our agency as individuals and communities have all improved.
The less-than-stellar news, however, is that COVID-19 strains continue to mutate as the illness evolves. But thankfully, vaccine scientists have monitored strain developments like it’s their job — which it is, and they’re pretty dang good at it.
Read on to learn what you need to know about the 2024 COVID vaccine updates, your brand options, when the best time to get the COVID-19 vaccine is, and more. So bookmark this blog for future reference, and keep scrolling!
In This Article:
- COVID-19 review: What we know
- What’s new this year with the 2024 COVID vaccine?
- Current clinical guidelines for the 2024 COVID vaccine
- Who should and who shouldn’t get the COVID-19 vaccine
- The best time to get the 2024 COVID vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine side effects and efficacy
PLEASE NOTE: We research and reference this information, but also express opinions of the experienced professionals of Village Apothecary. We are pharmacists, but we may not be YOUR pharmacist. Do not make any medical decisions without first contacting your primary care provider.
COVID-19 Disease and Vaccine Review: What We Know
You probably know this already, but it never hurts to refresh our understanding of COVID-19 and the importance of prevention.
COVID‐19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS‐CoV‐2, which spreads quickly from person to person. SARS‐CoV‐2 can cause symptoms ranging from mild or moderate illness lasting only a few days to severe illness requiring hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help with breathing. COVID‐19 can also result in death.
COVID‐19 vaccines like Spikevax, Comirnaty, and Novavax are designed to help prevent COVID‐19 and to help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick.
Learn More: Vaccines Do Work, But They’re Not Perfect
What’s New This Year? 2024 COVID Vaccine Updates
This year’s COVID-19 vaccines will match the KB.2 strain, which is an Omicron variant that belongs to a group of strains called the FLiRT strains. F-L-R-T are the mutation points on the virus, hence the name.
Here’s the skinny on the other updates for the 2024 COVID-19 vaccine:
- COVID-19 vaccines are updated every fall to closer match circulating strains.
- All patients 6 months of age and older are eligible for updated COVID-19 vaccines when available, typically in September.
- Patients 65+ will be eligible for a second ‘booster’ dose every spring – generally around March or April.
- In 2025-2026 a combination flu and COVID-19 vaccine will be available, but for this year, they’re still separate.
Current Clinical Guidelines for the 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine
The official, CDC recommendations for the 2024 COVID-19 vaccine can be found here. But, just to make it easier for you, here’s a summary of who is eligible for this year’s vaccine.
You’re eligible if:
- You have not yet received an updated (2024-2025 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine.
- You have a minor illness, such as a cold.
You should wait if:
- You have received a COVID‐19 vaccine recently. Wait at least 8 weeks after your most recent dose to get the updated 2024-2025 COVID‐19 vaccine.
- You are moderately or severely ill. Wait until you recover, in most cases.
- You have a current COVID‐19 infection. Wait to get vaccinated until you have recovered and discontinued isolation.
Plus, certain people who have medical conditions or are taking medications that affect the immune system may get additional doses of COVID‐19 vaccine. Your healthcare provider can advise you.
Learn More: Vaccine Season Preview: 2024-2025
What COVID-19 Vaccines Are Available in 2024?
Below is a list of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines, but there’s no real need to pick favorites. None of the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over another and all are recommended for patients who have not yet received an updated immunization.
- Spikevax (Moderna)
- Comirnaty (Pfizer)
- Novavax
Our Recommendations
Who Should Definitely Get The 2024 COVID Vaccine?
- We recommend anyone who has not yet received an updated (2024-2025 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine make an appointment to get a dose.
- In addition, we recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine once yearly for the general population, and twice yearly or more for elderly or immunocompromised individuals.
- Elderly patients may wish to receive an updated booster twice yearly.
- For severely immunocompromised individuals, an updated vaccine may be recommended as frequently as every two months.
- Pregnant people with COVID‐19 are at increased risk for severe illness. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future should take extra care to receive an updated dose.
We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: Elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised individuals should speak with their primary healthcare provider for more information.
Who Shouldn’t Get The 2024 COVID Vaccine?
- People with a current COVID‐19 infection (or another severe illness) should wait to get vaccinated until after they have recovered.
- Severe reactions were not common during COVID vaccine trials, but the updated COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended for any individual with a known history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the updated vaccine.
- Additionally, it is not recommended for anyone who had a severe allergic reaction following a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn More: Vaccine Ingredients in 2024: Less Scary Than You Might Think
When is the Best Time to Get the 2024 COVID Vaccine?
“The short answer is: Late August to early September, preferably before Labor Day.”
-Dr. Neal Smoller
We recommend receiving your updated COVID-19 vaccine within 3 weeks of becoming eligible.
In general, the CDC distributes doses to vaccine providers in late August or early September. For maximum protection, you’ll want to be vaccinated shortly after they become available to you — ideally by early September.
Why? Well, the fall wave of COVID-19 has been found to start, pretty consistently, after Labor Day. But wait! While there are peaks of COVID in the summer and fall, COVID-19 is not seasonal like the flu – there is a risk of COVID-19 infection year-round.
Learn More: Seasonal Vaccination: When Should You Get Your Vaccines in 2024?
Side Note: Are There Side Effects to the 2024 COVID Vaccine?
“The most commonly reported side effects after COVID-19 vaccination include mild muscle or joint pain, mild redness and/or swelling of the injection site, potential fever, headache, fatigue, and nausea. The vast majority of these side effects are mild and do not impede daily life in any way.”
-Dr. Neal Smoller
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects straight from the CDC here.
Are COVID-19 Vaccines Effective? Even on FLiRT Strains?
Clinical studies have shown that the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine was up to 76% effective in preventing severe COVID-19 symptoms (including death). The effectiveness remained for around 6 months and then continued providing protection at 56% efficacy up to 1-2 years later.
But what does this mean?
Thankfully, the numbers don’t lie! It means that the original COVID-19 vaccines provided substantial, durable protection against serious COVID-19 symptoms, and staying up to date with vaccination can help prevent critical outcomes.
Updated vaccines are particularly important in that they are an attempt to both predict and keep pace with the potential mutations of the virus. This season’s major players are the FLiRT family, and the new vaccines are designed to target them specifically.
Scientists say that although the new FLiRT variants aren’t necessarily linked with more serious illness symptoms than previous variants, earlier vaccines may offer limited protection due to the relative ‘genetic distance’ from their predecessors.
Hence why getting an updated vaccine this year is so important. The 2024-2025 updated COVID-19 vaccines more closely target the FLiRT variants of the Omicron lineage and are designed to restore protection against COVID-19 that may have decreased over time.
2024 COVID Vaccine: Now You’re in the Know
Long story short: With September on the horizon, most folks should be making moves to schedule their updated COVID-19 vaccine shot if they want better protection against monovalent COVID-19 and the new FLiRT strains. (After discussing it with their primary healthcare provider, of course!)
But it’s still important to remember that vaccines were never designed to be a forcefield.
They are a powerful aid to help prevent dangerous illnesses, but they must be supported by safe and healthy lifestyle choices. Think of them as just one tool in your holistic, or whole-picture, wellness toolbox.
As always, if you need professional guidance to help you navigate the 2024 COVID vaccine season or direction on developing some other tools for your healthy lifestyle, let’s chat. Our team of experienced vaccine professionals and health advocates is only a call away.
