COVID-19 remains a public health threat.¹
As a healthcare provider, you play a vital role in protecting your patients and their health. Learn more about how to educate them on their risk for hospitalization or death from COVID-19.
5 things to know about COVID-19
COVID-19 is more serious than the flu.
Between October 2023 and July 2024, COVID-19 hospitalization rates were 90.5% higher than flu.²
COVID-19 vaccine uptake remains lower than the flu.
COVID-19 vaccination rates among adults remain lower than those of influenza, despite similar risks of severe outcomes.3,4
Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk for death.
A 2023 study found that among patients with a COVID-19 infection, those who remained unvaccinated were ~2.5x more likely to die, compared to those who were vaccinated.⁵
The CDC has issued a new recommendation.
On June 27, 2024, continuing its guidance from the previous year, the CDC again recommended an updated COVID-19 vaccine for eligible individuals ages 6 months and older.⁶
Long COVID can impact anyone.
Older adults and those with comorbidities have a higher risk of severe outcomes from a COVID-19 infection.¹ However, anyone that gets COVID-19 is at risk of having Long COVID - not just those with severe illness.⁷
Post-infection guidance: When to recommend the updated COVID-19 vaccine
In the summer of 2024, the US experienced another summer “surge” in COVID-19 cases, with roughly 15,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 at its peak.11*
Patients who had COVID this summer may be wondering how their immunity is holding up and whether–or when–they need to get the 2024-2025 updated COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the CDC, most patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, may consider receiving their updated COVID-19 vaccination within 3 months after an infection.¹² For guidance on immunocompromised patients, see the CDC guidelines.
Ready to vaccinate?2024-2025 ACIP Vaccination Recommendation – Updated October 2024
In addition to previously recommended 2024-2025 vaccination guidelines,* the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend the following 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine updates:13, 14
- A second dose† of 2024-2025 COVID-19 for adults ages 65 years and older.
- A second dose‡ of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 6 months-64 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
- Additional doses (i.e., 3 or more doses) of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised under shared clinical decision making.
*On June 27, 2024, the ACIP recommended 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccination with an FDA–authorized or approved vaccine for all persons aged ≥6 months to target currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains and provide additional protection against severe COVID-19–associated illness and death.14
Evolution of COVID-19
The SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) continues to evolve, resulting in new variants and lineages.⁸
As a result, vaccine formulations need to be adjusted periodically in an effort to keep pace with the evolving virus.⁹
On June 13th, 2024, the FDA updated its recommendation asking vaccine manufacturers to use a lineage of JN.1 called the KP.2 strain.¹⁰
Learn more about variants, lineages, and sublineages
Where to order vaccines
Stay prepared with the latest COVID-19 vaccines. Access ordering options tailored to meet your specific needs.
Learn more about how COVID-19 can impact your patients
References
- Centers for Disease Control, “The Changing Threat of COVID-19.” Updated February 23, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/changing-threat-covid-19.html
- Centers for Disease Control, “Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET).” Updated August 16, 2024. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/
- Centers for Disease Control, “Vaccination Trends.” Updated October 18, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/vaccination-trends.html
- Centers for Disease Control, “Study Shows Hospital Outcomes for Flu and COVID-19 Have Become More Similar.” Updated January 24, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-hospital-outcomes.html
- Ikeokwu A. et al., "Unveiling the Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Meta-Analysis of Survival Rates Among Patients in the United States Based on Vaccination Status," Cureus, Vol. 15(8), 2023.https://www.cureus.com/articles/163598-unveiling-the-impact-of-covid-19-vaccines-a-meta-analysis-of-survival-rates-among-patients-in-the-united-states-based-on-vaccination-status
- Centers for Disease Control, “CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season.” Updated June 27, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html
- Centers for Disease Control, “CDC Science and the Public Health Approach to Long COVID.” Updated July 12, 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/php/long-covid/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control, “Variants Happen." Updated October 27. 2023. Accessed August 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/variants-happen.html
- World Health Organization, “The Effects of Virus Variants on COVID-19 Vaccines.” Updated March 1, 2021. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-effects-of-virus-variants-on-covid-19-vaccines
- US Food & Drug Administration, “Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2024.” Updated June 13, 2024. Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/updated-covid-19-vaccines-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2024
- Centers for Disease Control, “COVID-NET Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations.” Accessed October 3, 2024.https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#covidnet-hospitalization-network
- Centers for Disease Control, “Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States.” Updated September 6, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html
- Panagiotakopoulos L. et al., “Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024–2025,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Vol 73(37), 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7337e2.htm
- Centers for Disease Control, “CDC Recommends Second Dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine for People 65 Years and Older and for People Who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised.” Updated October 23, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s1023-covid-19-vaccine.html
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