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Man receiving COVID vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control has approved the use of updated COVID-19 boosters for anyone 12 and older (Pfizer) and 18 and older (Moderna) who are at least two months out from their last COVID-19 vaccination shot. The updated bivalent vaccines are designed to offer better protection against the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. It is considered safe to receive the updated COVID-19 booster and flu shot at the same time.

How to get the updated COVID-19 booster: Visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.

The COVID-19 vaccines are among the most effective and safest vaccines ever developed. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are shown to be approximately 95% effective. Although the original authorizations were for a two-dose regimen, the CDC has expanded that to three doses for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. In addition, the CDC also recommends an updated booster dose at least two months after the last dose of vaccine. It is safe for most patients to receive the vaccine. It is considered safe to receive the flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 third dose or booster dose. However, for some patients in active treatment that causes immunosuppression, the vaccine may not be effective. Talk to your oncologist or primary care physician.

If you have questions about the vaccine and how it fits within your treatment plan, please contact your care team through the message center within the patient portal by visiting My.Moffitt.org. Your care team will respond to your message after reviewing your medical history. For patient portal assistance, please call 813-745-8000.

It is also important not to delay any treatment for cancer in order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are a cancer survivor, it should be safe for you to receive the vaccine. If you have concerns, you should talk to your oncologist or primary care physician.