Stay Protected: American Lung Association Advocates for Updated COVID-19 Vaccinations for All

Updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines are now available to help prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19 and aims to protect people from the currently circulating variants. The American Lung Association is urging everyone 6 months and older to get an updated vaccine to protect themselves, their family and their community against COVID-19.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines. This means that everyone six months and older should receive at least one dose to restore protection this season. 

“The summer COVID-19 surge across the U.S. is proof that this disease remains a public health risk. COVID-19 evolves like other common viruses and we’re grateful for updated vaccines to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “The American Lung Association urges everyone to get vaccinated, but this is especially important for our constituents living with a chronic lung disease.”

Who Should Get an Updated COVID-19 Vaccine?
Vaccination remains our best protection against COVID-19. Everyone six months and older is eligible and recommended to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination. Individual vaccination recommendations vary based on age, if you have been vaccinated in the past, when you received your last COVID-19 vaccine and which vaccine product you received. COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be widely available and covered at no cost to you, by most insurance plans. For people with no health insurance, local community health centers or health departments may be able to provide low or no-cost COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines.gov helps you find pharmacy locations to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. 

Who is at Increased Risk?
Many individuals are still at high risk for severe illness if they get sick with COVID-19. Those at high risk include people aged 65 and older, people with chronic lung disease (including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension), those who currently or used to smoke, and adults with certain medical conditions, including those who are immunocompromised, and those with heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. 

Underserved communities, including Black, Latino/Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native people, may also be at higher risk. People in underserved communities are at increased risk because of where they live or work, or because of barriers to accessing healthcare. They may also be more likely to be living with more than one chronic medical condition.

What Else Can People Do to Protect Themselves from COVID-19?
In addition to vaccination, the Lung Association also recommends that everyone:

• Get tested right away if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (this fall, the federal government will again make free tests available for each household);
• Talk to a healthcare provider about treatment if you are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness and test positive;
• Stay home if you are sick; and 
• Follow healthy habits like handing washing and covering your coughs and sneezes. 
• More information about how people can access COVID-19 testing and treatment is available here.

The American Lung Association provides science-based information about COVID-19 and the updated COVID-19 vaccines available. Learn more at Lung.org/covid19.