COVID Vaccine, Older Adults: Common Questions Answered

Which vaccines are available within the United States?

Currently, three vaccines are available within the United States: the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Novavax vaccine. Updated vaccines that target specific strains of COVID, such as the newest vaccine for 2024-2025, are highly encouraged.

Vaccine development timelines were hastened due to the pandemic, leading all vaccines to be FDA-approved through emergency-use authorization. Now, the Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are fully FDA-approved vaccines.

Note: To learn more about the clinical trials vaccines went through and specifics on each vaccine, visit this source.

Does it matter which vaccine I get?

For seniors who have been previously vaccinated and have followed the vaccination schedule, it does not matter which of the three available options (Pfizer-BioTech, Moderna, or Novavax) you receive.

For unvaccinated seniors, starting with two doses of Novavax is recommended, followed by a 3rd dose of any of the available vaccines within 6 months. You can also choose to receive a dose of Pfizer or Moderna followed by a 2nd dose of any of the vaccines 6 months later.

How does the vaccination process work?

All vaccines require multiple doses, meaning two to three doses of an updated vaccine.

Once it’s time to receive the vaccine, the Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are administered in the patient’s upper arm.

Seniors 65 and over who have been previously vaccinated will require two doses of an updated 2024-2025 vaccine. The first dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after your previous COVID-19 vaccination, and the second dose should occur between 2-6 months after the first dose.

Seniors 65 and over who have never been vaccinated have two options for an updated vaccination. If you choose to get Pfizer or Moderna as your 1st dose, you will get your 2nd dose (which can be Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax) 6 months later. If your 1st dose is Novavax, you will need to get a 2nd dose of Novavax 3-8 weeks after the 1st, and a 3rd dose (which can be Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax) 2-6 months later.

It’s important to note that after receiving the vaccine, patients will be asked to wait 15 minutes before leaving the vaccine site to ensure they don’t have an allergic reaction or intense adverse side effects.

Note: For an updated table of vaccination schedules for all ages, visit this resource.

When can I receive the vaccine?

You can get the updated vaccine for 2024-2025 at any time. Those 6 months and older are encouraged to receive the updated vaccine as soon as possible. Previous vaccines from 2023-2024 are no longer recommended and should not be used.

Note: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved for 6 months and older, while Novavax is approved for those 12 years and over.

To find the nearest available location near you to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, visit this resource.

Are the new COVID-19 vaccines booster shots?

No, the updated COVID-19 vaccines aren’t considered booster shots. With previous COVID-19 vaccines, a “booster” of the same type of vaccine as the initial dose was administered 6 months later to help boost immunity. The newer COVID-19 vaccines will be updated once a year to fight against current strains of COVID, similar to the way flu shots are given yearly.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

As with any vaccine, there are a variety of side effects that range from mild to severe depending on the patient and their immune system. With the Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines, it’s possible for side effects to occur after both doses. However, after the first dose, it’s more common to experience mild side effects at the injection site such as swelling, redness, and/or irritation. After the second dose, it’s common to experience full-body side effects that may include chills, low-grade fever, fatigue, and/or headaches. It’s important to note that these side effects should only last for a few days at most. Therefore, if feelings of discomfort endure, it’s important for a patient to contact their doctor.

In very rare cases, an allergic reaction to the vaccine or inflammation of the lining of the heart or heart muscle has occurred. This is why you are asked to stay 15 minutes after you’ve received your vaccine to ensure there aren’t immediate/severe side effects.

Are those 55 and older likely to be more affected by side effects or experience adverse effects from the vaccine?

Many concerns were raised regarding the vaccine’s safety with older populations. However, studies show that older adults are actually less likely to experience side effects in comparison to younger generations. One study from earlier in the pandemic notes that the vaccine is “better tolerated in older adults than younger adults” and that its efficacy is similar across all age groups. As of 2025, there are no studies or advisements from the CDC that this has changed for seniors.

However, underlying conditions that are more common within older demographics (such as, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, etc.) can increase the risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.

How do I diminish vaccine side effects?

Health officials recommend that patients should take acetaminophen such as Tylenol if a fever erupts and to heat or ice if their arm feels sore post-vaccination. However, it’s important to note that patients should not take these over-the-counter pain relievers (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Advil, etc.) before receiving the vaccine, as they may weaken the vaccine’s efficacy.

How do I report adverse reactions?

After a patient speaks with their doctor and determines that they did or are experiencing adverse effects from the vaccine, they are encouraged to submit their story to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). There is also a new system in place known as “V-safe,” which is a smartphone-based tool that sends patients surveys and check-in messages after being vaccinated. V-safe reminds patients to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine dose, answers questions about the vaccine, and provides a place where patients can submit any concerns or side effects they experienced after being vaccinated.

If I already had COVID-19, do I need to be vaccinated?

Currently, it is unknown how long immunity lasts after a patient has been infected with COVID-19. Due to this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that even patients who have previously contracted COVID-19 should be vaccinated.

Patients with comorbid conditions such as COPD, heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and obesity have been linked to a likelihood of hospital readmittance. Therefore, it’s especially vital for those with these conditions and those living in assisted living facilities to be vaccinated even after having the virus because they are the communities with the highest risk of readmittance.

If I am vaccinated, do I need to wear a mask and comply with social distancing?

While masking and social distancing are no longer requirements, it’s still advised to consider doing so if you have been recently exposed to someone/have contracted COVID-19 or if you or a loved one are at high risk for receiving the virus.

Even though a patient is vaccinated, there is a chance they are still able to asymptomatically spread COVID-19 to others, so wearing a mask can still aid in the prevention of spreading the virus.

Will booster shots be needed for the vaccine?

As of 2024, there are no longer “booster” shots for the COVID-19 vaccines. Instead, a yearly updated vaccine will be rolled out to combat the latest strains of COVID-19. It is highly encouraged to receive the yearly updated vaccinations when they become available.

Can I get COVID-19 even if I’m vaccinated?

All vaccines have been proven to prevent severe illness as they are highly effective at preventing a patient from contracting the coronavirus. While it’s extremely rare, it is still possible that a patient may contract COVID-19 after being vaccinated.

The current COVID-19 vaccines are focused on preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 strains. As of the most recent updates from the CDC, all three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax) work well to prevent current predominant strains of COVID such as KP.3.1.1, as well as strains that may become more prevalent over time, such as XEC and MC.1.

Can I receive other vaccines alongside the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, the CDC currently states that COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations may be given at the same time.

Can I have the first dose be from Pfizer and the second be from Moderna i.e. can I mix vaccine doses?

Yes, it is possible to mix doses of the vaccines, with some exceptions.

Unvaccinated people 65+ who receive Novavax as their 1st dose should also receive Novavax as their 2nd dose (though the 3rd dose can be any of the three vaccines). Otherwise, regardless of which vaccine you begin with, you can receive a different vaccine for your next dose without it harming the efficacy of the vaccine.

How much does it cost for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

How much does it cost for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Since COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency, there are some changes to how the COVID-19 vaccine is covered. The vaccine is still free for most people, but not everyone.

For those with insurance, even if the vaccine is free, your insurance may still receive a bill for an administration fee.

For those who are uninsured or have insurance that doesn’t cover the vaccine, the CDC has provided specific funds to over 20,000 pharmacies to help cover the costs of the updated vaccine.

To find out if a pharmacy near you can provide a free COVID-19 vaccine, contact your local health department or local HRSA-supported health center.

Note: One of the benefits of Oak Street Health is the support they offer in explaining which benefits patients are eligible for within their Medicare plan. While Medicare claims they cover the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 tests, COVID-19 antibody tests, etc., on their website, an agent from our team would love to answer any and all additional questions you may have.