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: The CDC’s new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations provide an opportunity for health agencies, community-based organizations, and other partners to update COVID-19 vaccine-related informational materials, including websites and FAQs, with the latest guidance. Messaging 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. Emphasizing key points is recommended: Updated COVID-19 vaccines will become available this fall and are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. If you have not yet received the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, or if you’re 65 or older or immunocompromised and have not yet received your additional dose, you can get the 2023-2024 vaccine now before more updated COVID-19 vaccines become available. 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. Continuing to reiterate that staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines dramatically reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long COVID is recommended.