Simplified COVID-19 vaccine and booster guidance available

The CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional bivalent vaccine dose for people aged 65 and up, and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

From now on, anyone getting a COVID-19 shot or booster dose will receive an updated version of the vaccine. The newest bivalent version targets the dominant omicron variant along with an earlier virus strain.

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced the simplified vaccination schedule last week.

In addition, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now making the shots available on a more flexible schedule for people in the highest-risk groups, including people over 65 or with weakened immune systems.