The current COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is a monovalent formula targeting the Omicron KP.2 strain, approved by the FDA on August 22, 2024. Three manufacturers produce it: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax. The CDC recommends it for everyone ages 6 months and older.
What the Vaccine Targets
The 2024-2025 vaccine was designed to match the KP.2 strain, a descendant of the JN.1 Omicron lineage. The FDA initially advised manufacturers to build a JN.1-based vaccine in early June 2024, then shifted to KP.2 after that strain began driving a rise in cases. Unlike earlier bivalent formulas that included components from multiple variants, this vaccine contains a single target (monovalent), which simplifies the immune response your body mounts.
Available Vaccine Types
You have two technology options to choose from. Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) are both mRNA vaccines, which deliver genetic instructions that teach your cells to produce a piece of the virus’s spike protein, triggering an immune response. Novavax (Nuvaxovid) is a protein subunit vaccine, meaning it delivers the spike protein itself rather than instructions to make it. Some people who experienced side effects with mRNA vaccines or simply prefer a more traditional vaccine platform opt for Novavax.
Age eligibility varies by brand. Pfizer is approved for ages 5 and older, Moderna for ages 6 months and older, and Novavax for ages 12 and older. For the youngest children (6 months through 4 years), Moderna is the only available option.
Who Should Get It and How Many Doses
The CDC now frames COVID vaccination as an individual-based decision rather than a blanket recommendation, meaning the choice involves shared decision-making between you and a healthcare provider. That said, the guidance is straightforward for most people:
- Adults 12 to 64: One dose if previously unvaccinated.
- Adults 65 and older: Two doses if previously unvaccinated, given the higher risk of severe illness in this age group.
- Children 6 to 23 months: A two-dose initial series using Moderna.
- Immunocompromised individuals: A separate, more detailed schedule that typically involves additional doses.
You can self-attest to factors that increase your risk for severe COVID-19 when seeking vaccination. No doctor’s note or documentation is required.
How Well It Works
CDC data from September 2024 through January 2025 provides the first real-world effectiveness estimates. Among adults 18 and older, the vaccine reduced COVID-related emergency department and urgent care visits by 33% compared to being unvaccinated. Protection against hospitalization was stronger: 45-46% among immunocompetent adults 65 and older, and 40% among immunocompromised adults in the same age group.
These numbers reflect moderate, not dramatic, protection. The vaccine works best as a shield against the worst outcomes. Hospitalization rates during this period were relatively low compared to previous years, which made it impossible to estimate effectiveness against the most severe outcomes like ICU admission or death. Earlier updated formulas showed similar patterns, with one study finding 47% effectiveness against symptomatic infection within 44 days of vaccination.
Common Side Effects
The side effect profile remains consistent with previous COVID vaccine versions. About 65% of people experience some kind of reaction, but more than 95% of those reactions are mild and self-limiting. The most common ones include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and fever. These typically resolve within a day or two without treatment.
Rare but monitored side effects include myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle, primarily seen in younger males after mRNA vaccines), pericarditis, severe allergic reactions, and blood clots. Anaphylaxis remains extremely uncommon. The CDC continues active safety surveillance for all COVID vaccines.
Timing After a Recent Infection
If you recently had COVID, you don’t need to rush. The CDC says you can consider delaying vaccination by up to 3 months from when your symptoms started, or from your positive test if you had no symptoms. A recent infection provides some natural immunity in the short term, so waiting allows you to get the most benefit from the vaccine when that natural protection begins to fade.
Getting It With Other Vaccines
You can receive the COVID vaccine at the same visit as a flu shot, RSV vaccine, or other routine immunizations. There is no required waiting period between any of these. Studies show that getting flu and COVID vaccines simultaneously may slightly increase the chance of mild reactions like fatigue and muscle aches compared to getting the COVID vaccine alone, but those effects resolve quickly. If you’d rather space them out, that’s fine too.
Cost and Access
Most people with insurance pay nothing out of pocket for the COVID vaccine. Medicare covers the vaccine and pays approximately $45 per dose to providers for administration. For those without insurance, the Bridge Access Program and similar initiatives at federally qualified health centers have helped maintain access, though availability of free vaccines for uninsured adults has shifted over time. Checking with your local pharmacy or health department is the fastest way to confirm current availability and cost in your area.