CDC Updates Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccines

In late August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the use of the 2024-25 formula of COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC maintains an updated webpage for clinical considerations when administering the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Clinical guidelines for dosages for the updated vaccine are as follows:

For those aged six months to 4 years who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised, an initial vaccination should include multiple doses (2 for 2024-25 Moderna, 3 for 2024-25 Pfizer/BioNTech) for patients; if the patient has previously received a COVID-19 vaccination, they should get one or two doses from the same brand given for initial vaccination, depending on the vaccine and number of prior doses. In patients five and older, a single dose of either brand is recommended whether they are having an initial vaccination or have been previously vaccinated.

Patients aged six months and older who ARE moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive three doses of either brand for an initial vaccination. Those with previous vaccinations should receive doses commensurate with their age and vaccination history. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised ages 6 months and older may receive 1 or more age-appropriate additional doses of a 2024–2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Additionally, because the 2024-25 vaccines are now authorized, the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized. Clinics should remove all 2023-24 vaccines immediately, even if they’re not expired. The unused vaccines may be returned via normal protocols within the Washington State Immunization Information System.