MADISON, Wis. —  Updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer and Moderna were approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and could be available soon.

The shots target the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants but also contain a formula to protect against the original virus.

What You Need To Know

  • New COVID-19 boosters target the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants

  • The Pfizer booster was approved for ages 12 and up. Moderna's was approved for 18 and older

  • Doctors said it's safe to get one of the new boosters and the flu vaccine at the same time

Dr. Dan Shirley, medical director of infection prevention at UW Health, called it a "reset."

"The CDC is saying this is 'the' booster. It's more targeted. It still contains the original variant protection as well, in preparation for fall and winter when we expect cases to go up a little bit," Shirley said. 

The Pfizer booster was approved for ages 12 and up. Moderna's was approved for 18 and older.

Shirley said the new boosters can cause side effects, just like the original vaccines. He pointed out that means peoples immune systems are reacting. He also emphasized it's safe to get one of the new boosters and the flu vaccine at the same time.

Watch the full interview with Shirley above.

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