ACIP Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination for Everyone Aged 6 Months and Older

In September 2023, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued a new recommendation that everyone aged 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine.¹ This recommendation underscores the importance of vaccination as a critical tool in combating the virus.²

ACIP's endorsement is based on extensive research and data collected since the onset of the pandemic. The evidence suggests that vaccination can be helpful in reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, decreasing hospitalization rates, and preventing deaths.³⁻⁴

In addition to ACIP's recommendation for the vaccination of infants and children aged 6 months and older, the CDC recommends that individuals who have previously contracted COVID-19 get vaccinated.⁵ Even those who have recovered from COVID-19 remain at risk for reinfection and the potential for long-term consequences.⁶ Vaccination provides a stronger and more reliable immune response than natural infection.⁷ According to the CDC, individuals may consider delaying their vaccine by 3 months from when their COVID-19 symptoms started or, if there are no symptoms, when they received a positive test.⁸

While ACIP’s recommendation is a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19, it's important to remember that vaccination is just one part of a comprehensive approach to controlling the spread of the virus. Other measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and regular hand hygiene, should continue to be practiced to keep ourselves and our communities safe.⁹

As we enter the height of the fall respiratory virus season, ACIP’s recent recommendation reiterates the importance of vaccination as a public health strategy and encourages everyone to play their part in protecting themselves and those around them. By getting vaccinated, we can each contribute to the broader goal of achieving widespread immunity and maintaining a sense of normalcy.