A COVID-19 booster is also known as an updated vaccine dose. The updated vaccines are called “updated” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, have developed updated COVID-19 vaccines.

Here’s the latest, simplified guidance from the CDC:

• Everyone aged 6 years and older should get 1 updated (booster) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.
• People aged 65 years and older may get a 2nd dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
• Children aged 6 months–5 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age.
• COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be updated as needed.
• Some people may get additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines:
  • People aged 65 years and older may get 1 additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine 4 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get 1 additional dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine 2 or more months after the last updated COVID-19 vaccine.

This means that for people aged 65 and older and for people who are immunocompromised, you may get a third updated (booster) if it has been long enough since your last dose.

If you are not sure what vaccines you’ve received or are eligible, we can look up both the Idaho and Oregon vaccine registries to get your information.

Call our office at 541-889-7279 to make an appointment. We also welcome walk-ins for all of our services, any weekday. Make sure you are as protected as possible!