If you're 65 or older, or if you have a condition that weakens your immune system, health officials have a new message for you this fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that people in these groups get a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. The advice is to get that second shot about six months after your last dose.
This is an official recommendation from the CDC's advisory committee. It's important to understand what this is and what it isn't. This announcement is not the result of a brand-new clinical trial that followed people after they got a second shot. The CDC panel made this call after reviewing the latest data on how immunity can wane, especially in older adults and those who are immunocompromised.
Because this is a recommendation and not a study report, we don't have fresh numbers on how much extra protection a second dose might give, or detailed data on side effects from getting another shot. The advice is based on the principle that these groups are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and may benefit from an extra layer of protection as time passes. If you fall into one of these groups, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about timing your next vaccine.
