Do You Need an Updated COVID-19 Vaccination?

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October 15, 2024

Why the vaccine from last year won't fully protect you from what's circulating now.

COVID-19 infection rates jumped over the summer, and another rise is expected in the months ahead.

It's a trend doctors are witnessing every year. That's why getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall is recommended by experts.

"We see a peak during the summer months that settles down through the fall, followed by a second peak going into the winter," says our Chief Quality Officer Michael S. Calderwood, MD, MPH at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

While slightly more hospitalizations occurred nationally this summer compared to last, there were far fewer hospitalizations than two summers ago and in the early days of the pandemic. There also hasn't been a significant rise in deaths from COVID-19.

"A lot of that is attributed to the vaccines," Calderwood says.

Why do you need a vaccine?

"The vaccine that people got last fall doesn't provide a lot of protection against what is circulating right now. And we also know the protection wanes."
Michael S. Calderwood, MD, MPH

Every year, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) examine how the situation has changed. In the fall of 2023, the CDC recommended that everyone six months of age and older get a COVID-19 vaccine.

This fall, much like the recommendation for a flu vaccine, an annual COVID-19 vaccine is advised. Supporting this recommendation is data from last year's respiratory virus season that shows those who got last year's vaccine had:

Significantly more protection against symptomatic disease from the virus
Fewer visits to the emergency department and urgent care
A significant reduction in hospitalizations, including among those with an impaired immune system who benefited most significantly when those living with them had also been vaccinated.

Why you need annual protection

"This year's COVID-19 vaccine provides two to four times more protection against the viruses that are currently in our community compared to last year's vaccine," Calderwood says.

Similar to the annual flu vaccine, it's recommended to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine each year.

"Keep in mind that COVID-19 is becoming an annual illness, much like other respiratory viruses," Calderwood says.

If you've previously been vaccinated, you need only a single dose of the new COVID-19 vaccine. You can have this at the same time you get your flu vaccine.

Older people—typically 65 years of age and older—and those with an impaired immune system or some chronic diseases like diabetes, lung disease and kidney disease—tend to see the most significant benefit. These people also get protection from the rest of us in the community who get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccination also gives important protection to those who are pregnant.

What if you recently had COVID-19?

If you have recently had COVID-19, you can typically wait up to three months after the illness to get the vaccine. That gives you longer protection because you have immune protection after you recover from the virus. But you don't need to wait three months; you are eligible at any time.

Where to get your vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are available now in many local pharmacies. Go to vaccines.gov to find a location near you. The COVID-19 vaccine is also available at various Dartmouth Health locations.