evidence: There has been better protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 since newly updated (2023–2024 formula) mRNA COVID vaccines became available last fall. Shots are available to protect everyone 6 months and older from serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the disease. [...] COVID vaccines are safe and effective, according to the CDC. The safety of COVID vaccines has been rigorously monitored and evaluated since their emergency use authorization (EUA) in December 2020. According to the CDC, the updated mRNA COVID vaccines for 2023-2024 are manufactured using a similar process to the previous vaccines. [...] The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which instructs the body’s cells to make proteins that trigger an immune response against COVID. The Novavax protein-based vaccine uses an older, more traditional technology and a different mechanism—it directly injects the spike protein (formulated in a laboratory) and another ingredient into the body, leading to the production of virus-fighting antibodies and T cells. The Novavax vaccine is the only non-mRNA COVID vaccine available in the U.S.