The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine for almost everyone who is 6 months or older.
That is a broad endorsement for a high percentage of the population. Why? Because the vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization and death. It is especially vital for people 65 and older, as well as those who are at a high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccination.
“We have very good data that encourages us to get the COVID vaccine every year, particularly if it is someone in the extremes of age or someone who carries other health conditions,” said Jeremy Cauwels, M.D., Sanford Health’s chief medical officer. “If you’re in any of those groups, the data is quite convincing that we can prevent you from dying needlessly or having severe complications.”
COVID-19 vaccines played a critical role in reducing the severity of symptoms and lowering the hospitalizations and deaths when introduced during the winter of 2020-21. Since then, new versions of COVID-19 vaccines have been developed to keep up with a virus that continues to change.
We reviewed with Dr. Cauwels important things to know about staying safe in the coming year.
Why do we need the COVID-19 shot every year?
The COVID-19 vaccines make it less likely the virus will put you in the hospital or end your life, Dr. Cauwels emphasized. It is vital that adults 65 and older, people with chronic diseases, pregnant people and immunocompromised people – what we know as the “high risk groups” – stay updated with their vaccines.
In addition, long COVID is still a problem. An annual vaccine can help with that.
“We’re still seeing healthy people who have illnesses that linger for days, weeks and months – sometimes even years,” he said. “We have the ability to prevent that. Healthy people can avoid an illness that can last six months or a year if they’ve been properly vaccinated. That makes it extremely useful to maintain your vaccinations.”
CDC expands recommended doses
Dr. Cauwels emphasized that maintaining vaccinations includes staying updated on CDC guidelines, which are subject to changes.
For 2024-25, the CDC has recently expanded the previous 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to include:
- A second dose, 6 months after the first for adults ages 65 years and older and people ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- The option of additional doses (i.e., three or more doses) for people ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised using shared clinical decision-making
“No. 1, the CDC continues to reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated if you’re in the extremes of age or carry the risk of having a decreased immune system,” Dr. Cauwels said. “No. 2, the goal of the vaccine is not to eliminate you getting a runny nose; the goal is to eliminate the risk of severe disease. Avoiding long COVID and some of the lung complications we saw in the past with COVID are the reasons we’re encouraging vaccines.”
Viruses are still going to be out there searching out ways to disrupt our health. That is not going to change.
“But what can change is how your body reacts to it,” Dr. Cauwels said. “We can get ready for it. Vaccine efficacy decreases over time, so it is important to be re-dosed on a regular basis, particularly if you’re included in one of the special groups.”
Does the COVID vaccine change from year to year?
Yes. The 2024-25 version of the COVID-19 vaccine is slightly different from last year’s vaccine.
“It keeps up with the mutations of the COVID virus,” Dr. Cauwels said. “As the virus changes, we’re able to change the vaccine and continue to keep it more effective.”
What can we do to help protect newborns from COVID?
“We know that pregnant moms can protect their newborns by getting vaccinated during their pregnancies,” Dr. Cauwels said. “Making sure you receive the appropriate vaccination on time is another way of making sure your newborn is as healthy as possible.”
The CDC reports studies that have included hundreds of thousands of people around the world show that COVID-19 vaccination before and during pregnancy is safe, effective, and beneficial to both the pregnant person and the baby. The benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
Data show:
- COVID-19 vaccines do not cause COVID-19, including in people who are pregnant or their babies. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain live virus. They cannot make anyone sick with COVID-19, including people who are pregnant or their babies.
- It is safe to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech), before and during pregnancy. Both vaccines show no increased risk for complications like miscarriage, preterm delivery, stillbirth, or birth defects.
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy are effective. They reduce the risk of severe illness and other health effects from COVID-19 for people who are pregnant. COVID-19 vaccination might help prevent stillbirths and preterm delivery.
- COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that can help protect the baby.
- Receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy can help protect babies younger than age 6 months from hospitalization due to COVID-19.
- Most babies hospitalized with COVID-19 were born to pregnant people who were not vaccinated during pregnancy.
How has the commitment to vaccination helped in the battle with COVID-19?
COVID-19 as a cause of death in the United States has fallen dramatically since 2021, thanks to widespread vaccination, improved treatments and natural immunity. In 2021, it was the third-leading cause of death and in 2023 it was 10th, according to the CDC.
“The progress we’ve made is great but it’s important to remember that immunity wanes over time,” Dr. Cauwels said. “You’re more likely to get symptomatic if it’s been years since you’ve been exposed or have received a dose of the vaccine. You’re much better off to update to make sure you prevent severe illness.”
Schedule an appointment
If you have My Sanford Chart, log in to your account, select Visits in the header and then click the Schedule an appointment button. You will see an option to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination.
If you’re scheduling for a minor, you must have proxy access to their account. Learn about setting up proxy access.
If you don’t have a My Sanford Chart account, learn about your online scheduling options.
COVID-19 vaccines are offered without an appointment at select locations. We strongly encourage you to schedule your vaccination through My Sanford Chart or by calling your local clinic.
Most Sanford Health locations carry the Pfizer vaccine. Call your local clinic to check if the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine is available and to schedule an appointment.
Learn more
- Pregnant or breastfeeding? CDC says to get COVID-19 vaccine
- COVID long-hauler still recovering one year after diagnosis
- Vaccines are for adults, too
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Posted In COVID-19, Frequently Asked Questions, Healthy Living, Immunizations
