CDC’s updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendation stirs up controversy

In late June, the CDC recommended that people 6 months and older receive updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines in the fall. Social media posts in English and Spanish criticized the recommendation, arguing that the vaccines are unnecessary and unsafe.

Recommendation: News about the CDC’s fall COVID-19 vaccine recommendations may prompt questions from some patients about when vaccines will be available and when they should get their next COVID-19 vaccine. Trending conversations falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and unnecessary may also discourage some patients from getting this fall’s updated vaccine. Talking points may emphasize that like the flu virus, the COVID-19 virus is always mutating, so we need to get updated vaccines that target newer subvariants. Staying up to date on vaccinations dramatically reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long-term complications like long COVID. A COVID-19 surge can happen at any time. However, fall and winter are optimal times for respiratory viruses to spread, so ensuring that you’re up to date on COVID-19 vaccines by the fall is especially critical. Additional talking points may emphasize that if you have not yet received last year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine, or if you are 65 or older or immunocompromised, you can get it now before more updated COVID-19 vaccines become available in the fall. If you recently got last year’s 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine or if you’re planning to get it in the near future, you’ll need to wait four months before getting the newest COVID-19 vaccine.