COVID Vaccine Update: CDC Recommends Second Dose for Older Adults and Immunocompromised Individuals

Some people should get two doses of this year's COVID vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.

The expansion of the agency's COVID vaccine recommendations for the 2024-2025 cold and flu season pushes for people ages 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to get a second COVID vaccine six months after their first shot.

The updated recommendations also allow for three or more doses for people with compromised immune systems, in consultation with their healthcare provider.

The update 'allows people to make the best decisions possible to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from COVID-19,' CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, said in a press release.

Here's what you need to know about the CDC's expanded recommendations.

The CDC made this change to account for the increased risk of severe COVID in older adults and those who are immunocompromised. Older adults are at the highest risk, with more than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occurring in people over age 65. Additional conditions—such as diabetes, cancer, dementia, and HIV infection—also increase the risk of getting very sick from COVID.

The CDC also considered data on the year-round circulation of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID, with its often unpredictable variants and recent summer spike, as well as how the vaccine loses effectiveness over time.

Larry Corey, MD, vaccine development expert and former president and director of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, told Health that COVID strains continue to evolve remarkably, causing hospitalizations for these vulnerable populations.

'The effects that the early vaccination had have long worn off, and the virus has escaped from them,' Corey said. 'The hope is double boosting will transfer your immunity. Why not take another dose?”

The new recommendation also provides clarity to healthcare providers on how many COVID vaccine doses their patients need and makes it easier for people with compromised immune systems to seek additional doses.

Corey said it's unclear exactly how many boosts immunocompromised people need because of the varying degrees of severity. For instance, a patient with a bone marrow transplant is likely more at risk of severe COVID than a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy.

“Their general point is that immunocompromised people may need more boosting—and that’s true,' Corey said. 'People who are immunocompromised should be under the supervision of the physician who is taking care of them.”

If you are aged 65 years or older or immunocompromised, plan to get another COVID vaccine six months after your shot this fall, and talk to your healthcare provider to see if you should receive additional vaccine doses beyond that.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The recommendation includes one dose of the current COVID vaccine from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or (for ages 12 and older) Novavax.

Despite the CDC's recommendation, less than 12% of adults reported having received this year's COVID-19 vaccine as of October 12.

Even if you've been vaccinated for COVID before, the CDC urges everyone to get vaccinated again this fall because protection from the vaccine decreases over time. Also, the updated 2024-2025 vaccines will give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains.

“People are underestimating the effects that COVID still has,' Corey said. 'It really is important for people to get boosted with these new COVID vaccines.'

The CDC also encourages everyone to use prevention strategies for all common respiratory viruses, such as practicing good hygiene, circulating indoor air with open windows or fans, and avoiding contact with others when you feel sick.