Everyone ages 6 months and older is recommended to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine each year, similar to the annual flu shot. The best time depends on your age, health status, and whether you’ve recently been sick with COVID-19. Here’s how to figure out the right timing for your situation.
Annual Shots and the Current Formula
COVID-19 vaccines are now updated yearly to match circulating variants. The 2024-2025 formula targets the Omicron KP.2 strain, which the FDA selected after tracking how the virus evolved through early 2024. A 2025-2026 formula is also rolling out with updated guidance. The goal each year is the same: get vaccinated before fall and winter, when respiratory viruses spread most aggressively.
For most people ages 12 through 64, one dose of the current season’s vaccine is all you need, regardless of how many COVID shots you’ve had in the past. If you’ve been previously vaccinated, wait at least 8 weeks after your last dose before getting the new one. If you’ve never been vaccinated, you can get a single dose right away.
Timing for Adults 65 and Older
Adults 65 and older are recommended to get two doses of the updated vaccine, spaced about six months apart (with a minimum of two months between them). This applies whether you’ve been vaccinated before or not. The second dose helps compensate for the natural decline in immune response that comes with age. If you get your first dose in early fall, the second would land in spring, extending protection further into the year.
Timing for Immunocompromised People
If you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system, you’re also recommended to receive two doses six months apart. Beyond that, additional doses (three or more) are an option based on conversations with your doctor. This flexibility exists because immunocompromised people often produce fewer protective antibodies per dose and lose them faster.
Children and Younger Age Groups
Children as young as 6 months can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. For the youngest children (6 months through 4 years), only the Moderna vaccine is currently approved. Children ages 5 and older have access to additional options. The number of doses young children need can vary based on their vaccination history, so checking the current schedule at cdc.gov/covidschedule gives the most precise answer for your child’s age and situation.
How Long Protection Takes to Build
You’re not fully protected the moment you get the shot. Antibody levels rise sharply in the one to two weeks after vaccination, with peak protection arriving roughly 2 to 4 weeks later. In one study tracking community-vaccinated individuals, Moderna recipients reached maximum antibody levels around 22 days after their dose, while Pfizer recipients peaked around 30 days. This matters if you’re planning around a specific event or trip. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting vaccinated at least a few weeks before travel so your body has time to mount a full response.
After that peak, antibody levels gradually decline over the following months, which is one reason the vaccine is updated and recommended annually.
After a Recent COVID Infection
If you’ve just recovered from COVID-19, you don’t need to rush to get vaccinated. The CDC says you may consider waiting about 3 months after your infection, since your body is already carrying fresh immunity from fighting the virus. You should also hold off while you’re actively sick to avoid exposing healthcare workers and other patients at the vaccination site. After 3 months, getting the updated vaccine adds a layer of protection on top of your natural immunity.
During Pregnancy
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at any point during pregnancy. Studies show vaccination during pregnancy protects both the mother and the baby, with maternal antibodies helping shield newborns younger than 6 months from hospitalization due to COVID-19. Since babies under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated themselves, this passive transfer of antibodies is one of the only ways to protect them early in life.
Getting It With Your Flu Shot
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot during the same visit. Studies reviewed by the CDC found that people who received both at once were slightly more likely to experience fatigue, headache, and muscle aches compared to getting the COVID vaccine alone, but the reactions were mostly mild and short-lived. There’s no required waiting period between the two vaccines if you prefer separate visits. You can even add an RSV vaccine to the same appointment if you’re eligible for one, making it possible to handle all three fall vaccines in a single trip.
Best Window for Seasonal Protection
For most people, early to mid-fall is the sweet spot. Getting vaccinated in September or October means your antibody levels will be highest during the peak of winter virus season. If you wait until December or January, you’ll still benefit, but you may miss the worst weeks unprotected. If you’re 65 or older or immunocompromised and getting two doses, starting in September puts your second dose around March, covering both the winter peak and the tail end of the season.
If you’re planning international travel or attending a large gathering at any time of year, count back at least 3 to 4 weeks from your departure date to give the vaccine time to reach full effectiveness.