Get a COVID-19 booster shot for the holidays

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. By getting a COVID-19 shot, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from getting COVID-19 and the possibly serious symptoms that may come with it.

Who should get an updated shot?

Here are the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for each age group:

• Everyone age 5 and older should get one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• Children ages 6 months to 4 years will need multiple doses, with at least one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC has more details on how many doses children should get.
• People who have a compromised immune system may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccines.

Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, getting an updated vaccine can help lower your risk of getting sick again and helps protect against new strains of the virus.

What vaccines are available?

There are three COVID-19 vaccines available:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• Novavax

Each vaccine offers a good level of protection, so it doesn’t matter which one you get. The CDC has stared that mixing vaccine types is OK, so you can even get a different type of the vaccine than you have gotten in the past. You can find out more about these vaccines on the CDC’s website.

How to get ready for your COVID-19 vaccine visit

Here are some things to keep in mind when getting a booster:

• Look for vaccines in your area. Visit vaccines.gov to find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine near you.
• Many health plans now cover COVID-19 vaccines at little or no cost. If you do not have health insurance, or your health plan does not cover COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC has resources for how you can get a vaccine for free. If you are a Blue Cross of Idaho member, we cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to you as part of your preventive care benefits.

Other ways to stay healthy

As the weather gets colder and people gather closer together indoors, sickness can spread more easily. Here are some things you can do to help you stay healthy:

• Don’t get too close to others who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t around).
• Stay home when you feel sick.
• Use sanitizing wipes on shared surfaces.
• Cough and/or sneeze into your elbow.

Get free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests

The federal government is giving up to four at-home COVID-19 rapid tests to each household for free. All you need to do is place an order for your free at-home tests here.

More information

To find out more about COVID-19 vaccines and updated boosters, visit the CDC’s website.

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Medically reviewed by: Adam Saperston, M.D.

Posted: November 23, 2022

Updated: December 12, 2023