The best time to get your updated COVID shot is in the early fall, before respiratory virus season picks up. COVID surges typically peak somewhere between November and April, so getting vaccinated in September or October gives your body time to build strong protection before the highest-risk months. If you missed that window, getting vaccinated later still helps.
Timing for the Annual Updated Vaccine
COVID vaccines now follow a seasonal pattern similar to the flu shot. Each year, an updated formula is released to match the variants currently circulating. The 2024-2025 vaccines targeted the KP.2 Omicron variant, and a 2025-2026 update follows the same approach. Everyone ages 6 months and older is recommended to get the current season’s shot, regardless of how many previous COVID vaccines they’ve had.
Protective antibodies from the vaccine can start fading as soon as three months after your dose. That’s the main reason for annual updates and why timing matters: you want peak protection to overlap with peak virus season. Getting your shot in early fall lines up well with the winter surge window. If you’re getting a flu shot around the same time, you can receive both on the same day.
How Long to Wait After a Previous Dose
If you received a COVID vaccine earlier in the year or last season, you generally need to wait at least 8 weeks before getting the new seasonal dose. One newer Moderna formulation (mNexspike) requires a slightly longer gap of 3 months. These intervals apply across all age groups from 6 months through adults 65 and older.
The minimum interval exists because your immune system needs time to fully process the previous dose before it can respond well to a new one. Getting a dose a little early won’t cause harm, but waiting the recommended interval produces a stronger immune response.
How Long to Wait After a COVID Infection
If you recently tested positive for COVID, you can delay your vaccine by up to 3 months from when your symptoms started (or from your positive test date if you had no symptoms). Your body builds some natural immunity from the infection, so waiting allows you to stretch out your overall window of protection. This isn’t a hard rule. You’re allowed to get vaccinated as soon as your acute symptoms have cleared, but the 3-month delay is a reasonable strategy for maximizing coverage heading into the winter months.
Extra Doses for Older Adults and Immunocompromised People
Two groups are recommended to get a second dose of the seasonal vaccine, not just one. Adults 65 and older should receive a second dose about 6 months after their first seasonal dose, though it can be given as early as 2 months later. This accounts for the faster antibody decline that comes with aging immune systems.
People ages 6 months and older with moderate or severe immune compromise also qualify for a second seasonal dose at the same 6-month interval. Beyond that, individuals with significant immune suppression may receive a third dose or more based on a conversation with their doctor. The flexibility here reflects how variable immune responses can be in people on immunosuppressive medications or those with conditions that weaken immunity.
For both groups, a practical approach is to get the first dose in early fall and the second in the spring, covering both the early and late portions of the winter surge.
Schedule for Young Children
Children as young as 6 months are eligible for COVID vaccination. The specific number of doses and intervals depend on age and which vaccine brand is used. Children ages 6 months through 4 years who have never been vaccinated need a multi-dose initial series before receiving seasonal updates. Kids ages 5 and older who’ve been previously vaccinated follow a simpler one-dose seasonal schedule, with the same 8-week minimum interval between their last dose and the new one.
Cost and Where to Go
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover the COVID vaccine at no cost to you. Pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and local health departments all carry it. Bring your insurance card if you have one.
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, options exist to get vaccinated for free or at reduced cost. Federally qualified health centers offer vaccines on a sliding fee scale. Children 18 and younger may be covered through the Vaccines for Children program, available at local health departments. Your state or county health department website is the fastest way to find a nearby location offering no-cost shots.