Understanding the Importance of the New COVID Vaccine Shots

Health officials are moving away from using the term "booster" for this year's new COVID-19 shots and instead referring to them as the "2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine" or the "updated COVID-19 vaccine." The change in terminology aims to simplify the vaccine schedule and eliminate confusion about whether individuals are up to date on their shots. The updated shots are recommended for all Americans aged 6 months and older, regardless of their previous vaccination status. The FDA and other federal authorities have adopted the new terminology, but the word "booster" still appears on some official pages and campaigns.