Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

The CDC has approved updated vaccines, which can reduce your risk of infection against COVID-19 and variants. Learn more about CDC guidance.

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What To Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

  • All U.S. residents age 6 months or older are now eligible for the updated Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, each of which is designed to offer extra protection against the XBB.1.5 Omicron variant. Everyone age 12 or older is eligible for the updated Novavax vaccine.
  • BlueCross will cover FDA-approved or emergency-authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Your plan will cover the vaccine at 100% if you get it from an in-network provider. If you get a vaccine from an out-of-network provider, then your out-of-network benefits will apply. If you’re enrolled in a grandfathered plan, you may have a cost share for in-network preventive services.
  • The Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax shots are FDA-approved and currently under distribution.
  • As of January 2024, the CDC recommends that everyone age 5 or older get one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, even if they’ve had COVID-19 or have already gotten another COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
  • Children ages 6 months to 4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least one dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • If you are immunocompromised or age 65-plus, you may qualify for an additional vaccine dose. Read more here.
  • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain, sore arm and, rarely, severe allergic reaction.
  • The FDA and CDC consider COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective. None of the vaccines interact with our DNA or include any of the following ingredients: preservatives, antibiotics, medicines, tissues, food proteins, metals, latex.
  • According to the CDC, you still need the vaccine even if you’ve had COVID-19 or have already gotten another COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
  • You won’t get COVID-19 from a vaccine.
  • Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you at vaccines.gov.

COVID-19 Treatment:

  • The FDA has authorized Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 treatment pill as early-stage treatment for those 12 years or older with mild to moderate illness who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. Learn more here.

Moderna (SPIKEVAX)

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)

NOVAVAX

Johnson & Johnson JansSen

  •  People age 6 months and up who are unvaccinated or received vaccination before Sept. 12, 2023, are eligible for one dose of the updated vaccine.
  • People age 6 months and up who are unvaccinated or received vaccination before Sept. 12, 2023, are eligible for one dose of the updated vaccine.
  • 1+ shot
  • People age 12 and up who are unvaccinated are eligible.
  • Children between 6 months and 4 years are eligible for two total doses of the updated vaccine.
  • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • Children between 6 months and 4 years are eligible for three total doses of the updated vaccine.
  • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older who are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer, or upon specific request.
  • Additional dose eligible for:
    • All adults ages 18+
  • To be up-to-date, everyone can receive a second dose of the updated vaccine eight weeks after the first dose.
  • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
  • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain and a sore arm
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
It's important to remember this information could change. We'll updated this page as researchers learn more.

Moderna (SPIKEVAX)

  • People age 6 months and up who are unvaccinated or received vaccination before Sept. 12, 2023, are eligible for one dose of the updated vaccine.
  • Children between 6 months and 4 years are eligible for two total doses of the updated vaccine.
    • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Pfizer -BioNTech (Comirnaty)

  • People age 6 months and up who are unvaccinated or received vaccination before Sept. 12, 2023, are eligible for one dose of the updated vaccine.
  • Children between 6 months and 4 years are eligible for three total doses of the updated vaccine.
    • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Johnson & Johnson JansSen

  • Under distribution
  • 1+ shot
  • FDA emergency use authorization for people age 18 or older who are unable to receive Moderna or Pfizer, or upon specific request.
  • Additional dose eligible for:
    • All adults ages 18+
  • 1 dose
  • Booster 2 months after original dose
  • Side effects may include fatigue, muscle pain and a sore arm

Novavax

  • People age 12 and up who are unvaccinated are eligible. 
  • To be up-to-date, everyone can receive a second dose of the updated vaccine eight weeks after the first dose.
    • Those age 65-plus are eligible for an additional dose of the updated vaccine four months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised people are eligible two months after their most recent.
  • Covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
It's important to remember this information could change. We'll updated this page as researchers learn more.