What's a major difference in COVID today compared to COVID in 2020?

When COVID-19 was first identified, no one had immunity to it because no one had ever been exposed to it. That meant it could cause severe illness in just about anyone. Now, nearly everyone has some degree of immunity because they have been infected (often more than once), vaccinated, or both. Although the virus keeps changing, people continue to have partial immunity to new strains. That, paired with the availability of treatments, makes severe illness less likely today. But many people are still getting sick and many continue to be hospitalized, so taking measures to prevent infection still matters.

Does everyone really need an updated vaccine?

The vaccine formulations and recommendations have changed over time and some people might question the need for ongoing vaccination. Since the virus keeps changing, the vaccines also have to keep changing to stay active against the new strains. Even though you may have partial immunity from past vaccines and infections, it is still important to get the updated vaccine. COVID vaccines are particularly effective in protecting against severe disease and hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the updated vaccine this fall.

How soon after having an active COVID case can you receive the new vaccine?

If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines. However, because reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection, the CDC states that you may consider delaying your vaccine by three months. It’s important to consider and discuss the risk of waiting with your doctor. Reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later could include your personal risk of severe illness and the risk to a family member or other close contact.

How COVID-19 Is Changing

Although COVID-19 is entering its endemic stage, the risks of the condition haven't disappeared. Healthcare professionals and researchers alike are closely monitoring new variants and how our tests and treatments respond to them. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus changes, should your behavior change, too?

Immunity from vaccination and past infection is much more common now than early in the pandemic, and hospitalizations are significantly lower. But people are still getting infected and many are still experiencing serious illness. While everyone is susceptible, some groups are at particularly high risk for COVID and its complications. Both adults and children need to be particularly careful if they have certain chronic conditions, like asthma or diabetes.

An updated vaccine was approved by the FDA in September 2023. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive it this fall. Other measures, such as masking and keeping your distance, can also protect your health, even though they are no longer required in many places.

Here's how COVID is evolving, and how expert recommendations are evolving along with it.

— Anju Goel, MD, MPH, physician, public health professional, and Verywell Health Medical Expert Board member

How the Virus Is Changing

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Do You Still Need to Isolate If You Have COVID?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's a major difference in COVID today compared to COVID in 2020?

When COVID-19 was first identified, no one had immunity to it because no one had ever been exposed to it. That meant it could cause severe illness in just about anyone. Now, nearly everyone has some degree of immunity because they have been infected (often more than once), vaccinated, or both. Although the virus keeps changing, people continue to have partial immunity to new strains. That, paired with the availability of treatments, makes severe illness less likely today. But many people are still getting sick and many continue to be hospitalized, so taking measures to prevent infection still matters.
Does everyone really need an updated vaccine?

The vaccine formulations and recommendations have changed over time and some people might question the need for ongoing
vaccination. Since the virus keeps changing, the vaccines also have to keep changing to stay active against the new strains. Even though you may have partial immunity from past vaccines
and infections, it is still important to get the updated vaccine. COVID vaccines are particularly effective in protecting against severe disease and hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that
everyone 6 months and older receive the updated vaccine this fall.
How soon after having an active COVID case can you receive the new vaccine?

If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines. However, because reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection, the CDC states that you
may consider delaying your vaccine by three months. It’s important to consider and discuss the risk of waiting with your doctor. Reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later could include your personal risk of severe illness and the risk to a family member or other close contact.