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COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments

Vaccines are the key to ending the pandemic. For more information, visit Vaccines.gov.
Vaccines are the key to ending the pandemic. For more information, visit Vaccines.gov

COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free.

CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and bivalent boosters for their age group.

Updated Boosters Are Recommended

  • CDC recommends one updated (bivalent) booster dose:
  • The updated (bivalent) boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.
  • Previous boosters are called “monovalent” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. They also provide some protection against Omicron, but not as much as the updated (bivalent) boosters.
  • Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters.
  • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
  • COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest data.

There are four approved or authorized vaccines in the United States.

  • Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.
  • Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine
  • Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is a viral vector vaccine and can be given in some situations. The vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective.

COVID-19 Treatments and Medications

COVID-19 medications are now available through your doctor, local pharmacies, and health clinics.

  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive, do not wait to get treated.
  • You must take oral COVID-19 medication within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Use the tool below to find a location that is right for you.
  • COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator English.

Need help finding a place to get medication? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489)

If you have specific questions regarding your personal health conditions and the vaccine, we ask that you speak with your personal healthcare provider for more guidance.

Visit CDC’s COVID-19 vaccines website to view additional resources.
 

 

Last Updated: 02/03/2023
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