Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines work well to protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. Immunity from vaccines can drop over time. Staying up to date with all recommended doses is the best way to keep up protection for you, your loved ones, and the community. 

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. You don’t need an ID or insurance to get a vaccine. Find a vaccine near you.

What is an omicron vaccine and how is it different from the original COVID-19 vaccines?

Omicron vaccines are designed to offer protection from the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The omicron variant is the most common and dominant variant in the United States today. Just like the virus has evolved, so has the vaccine. Getting the updated vaccine gives targeted protection from the COVID-19 variants circulating right now.

Both Pfizer and Moderna have produced omicron-specific versions of their vaccines for people aged 6 months and older. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get an omicron vaccine, even if they never started or finished a primary series of original vaccines. 

If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider waiting up to three months after you tested positive or first started feeling symptoms to schedule your omicron vaccine. People who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease may consider getting an omicron dose sooner than three months after infection. Talking with a health care provider can help you learn more about the best time to schedule your next dose, but it is not required.

How many doses do I need?

The exact number of doses you need depends on what type of vaccine you get, your age, and whether or not you are immunocompromised. Though not required, talking with a health care provider can help you learn more about how many doses you or your child need and when to schedule them.

• Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive at least one omicron vaccine.
  • If you have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, start with an omicron vaccine.
• Young children need multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Children aged 6 months through 4 years who start with Pfizer and have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should receive three doses of Pfizer’s omicron vaccine.
    • Children aged 6 months through 4 years who already received one dose of Pfizer’s original vaccine should receive two doses of Pfizer’s omicron vaccine.
    • Children aged 6 months through 4 years who already received two doses of Pfizer’s original vaccine should receive one dose of Pfizer’s omicron vaccine.
    • Children aged 6 months through 4 years who already received three doses of Pfizer’s original vaccine should also receive one dose of Pfizer’s omicron vaccine.
  • Children aged 6 months through 5 years who start with Moderna, have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, and are not immunocompromised should receive two doses of Moderna’s omicron vaccine.
    • Children aged 6 months through 5 years who already received one dose of Moderna’s original vaccine should receive one dose of Moderna’s omicron vaccine.
    • Children aged 6 months through 5 years who already received two doses of Moderna’s original vaccine should also receive one dose of Moderna’s omicron vaccine.
  • Children 5 years of age who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 before and are not immunocompromised can start with either two doses of Moderna’s omicron vaccine or one dose of Pfizer’s omicron vaccine.
• Everyone aged 5 through 64 years who is not immunocompromised needs one dose of an omicron vaccine, regardless of how many original vaccine doses they previously received.
  • You should schedule your omicron vaccine at least two months after your most recent original vaccine.
  • You can get either Pfizer or Moderna’s omicron vaccine. There is no preference.
• People aged 6 months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should start with three doses of Pfizer or Moderna’s omicron vaccine.
  • Immunocompromised people who have received one dose of an original COVID-19 vaccine should receive two doses of an omicron vaccine. Immunocompromised people who have received two or three doses of an original COVID-19 vaccine should receive one dose of an omicron vaccine.
  • After that, some immunocompromised people may also receive additional omicron vaccines. If you are immunocompromised, talking with your health care provider can help you learn more about whether additional omicron vaccines are right for you.
• People aged 65 years and older may receive a second omicron vaccine at least four months after their first omicron vaccine. Talking with a health care provider can help you learn more about whether receiving another omicron vaccine is right for you, but it’s not required.
• People aged 12 years and older who can’t or would prefer not to receive an mRNA vaccine should receive two doses of Novavax’s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults aged 18 years and older who completed any primary vaccine series, haven’t received any booster doses, and either can’t or would prefer not to get a Pfizer or Moderna omicron vaccine can receive a booster dose of Novavax six months after finishing their primary series. This third dose is the same formulation and dosage as the doses in the Novavax primary series.
   

If you’re due for another dose, schedule an appointment to get one. 

How do I know what kind of vaccine I’ve received in the past?

• The vaccine card you received at your very first COVID-19 vaccine appointment should list the COVID-19 vaccines you’ve received. If you no longer have your vaccine card, or your vaccine card is incomplete, you can find your immunization record in the Colorado Immunization Information System Public Portal. If you have difficulty finding your record, review this guidance document. Email cdphe.ciis@state.co.us for additional assistance.
• In your records, omicron vaccines may be called “bivalent” vaccines, while original vaccines may appear as “monovalent” or “mono” vaccines.
• If you got your COVID-19 vaccination(s) outside of Colorado, contact your vaccination provider or the immunization information system of the state in which you received your COVID-19 to request a copy of your records.

Why do I need another vaccine if I have already completed my primary series?

• Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines gives you the highest level of protection from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 
• Our immune systems remember what they have fought in the past. Vaccines let our immune systems practice fighting pieces of the COVID-19 virus. With more practice, the body makes more and better antibodies to fight COVID-19.
• Just like the virus has evolved, so has the vaccine. All viruses mutate over time, including COVID-19. The spikes that cover the COVID-19 virus have changed since the original COVID-19 vaccines became available. These spikes were the original target of the COVID-19 vaccines, which is one reason why immunity from the original vaccines has decreased. 
• Getting the updated omicron vaccine gives targeted protection from the COVID-19 variants circulating right now. Pfizer and Moderna’s updated omicron doses teach your body to make both the original spike proteins and spike proteins that cover the omicron variant of the virus. That way, your immune system gets to practice fighting both. 

Is it safe to get another dose?

Yes. Data from CDC shows that getting the recommended number of doses is safe. The side effects from omicron doses are about the same as the side effects of the primary vaccine doses.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Learn more about where to get a vaccine, including an omicron dose, on our vaccine finder page. No ID, insurance, or proof of medical history is required. All doses of the vaccine are free.

What does it mean to be moderately to severely immuncompromised?

• This includes but is not limited to people who have: 
  • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood. 
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system. 
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome). 
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection. 
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.
• Talking with a health care provider about your medical condition can help you learn more about whether getting additional doses makes sense for you.