COVID-19 Vaccination - Updated (Bivalent) Booster - Ages 65+ in United States

United States

Some people who have been hospitalized for severe illness from COVID-19 face life-threatening outcomes and long-term effects such as fatigue, headache, attention disorder, difficulty breathing and hair loss, as well as other currently unknown consequences. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are effective in preventing severe COVID-19 infections among older adults. The COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time, which is why booster shots are recommended for those ages 5 and older. Getting a booster shot in addition to the initial COVID-19 vaccine enhances protection against the virus. 

Vaccinations and boosters protect not only individuals, but the community as well. Herd immunity helps protect everyone in the community and is the only option for protecting those who cannot receive the vaccine.

Populations of older adults with a higher percentage of full vaccination plus an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster include:

• Men compared with women.
• White and Hispanic individuals compared with Black, Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander individuals.

Vaccine clinics and online vaccine connectors have helped distribute more than 53 million updated (bivalent) booster doses in the United States as of February 23, 2023. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workers in most health care settings in October 2022, and many states have issued their own vaccine mandates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working with long-term care facilities to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccine through on-site vaccinations and resource sharing. Facilities can sign up with the CDC to host their own on-site vaccination clinics. 

Updated 3/2/2023

Feikin, Daniel R., Melissa M. Higdon, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Nick Andrews, Rafael Araos, Yair Goldberg, Michelle J. Groome, et al. “Duration of Effectiveness of Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.” The Lancet 399, no. 10328 (March 2022): 924–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00152-0.

Oliver, Sara. “Updates to the Evidence to Recommendation Framework: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses.” Presented at the ACIP Meeting, November 19, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-11-19/06-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf.

Tenforde, Mark W., Samantha M. Olson, Wesley H. Self, H. Keipp Talbot, Christopher J. Lindsell, Jay S. Steingrub, Nathan I. Shapiro, et al. “Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines Against COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, January–March 2021.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70, no. 18 (May 7, 2021): 674–79. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7018e1.