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.
- For more information, visit Vaccines.gov
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.