---
url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/covid19'
title: 'Coronavirus (COVID-19)'
author:
  name: 'Dan Trucil'
  url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/user/96'
date: '2020-03-19T18:14:08+00:00'
updated: '2026-09-30T21:21:04+00:00'
type: topic
summary: 'COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, which is a family of viruses common in humans and many different animals. Viruses in this family can cause respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.'
tags:
  - Health
published: true
---
 COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus. Many people who have COVID-19 can have mild symptoms. Other people can have severe illness or die. Older adults or people with certain diseases, such as diabetes, have more risks related to COVID-19 than others.

Adults 65 and older who have no immune problems should receive 2 doses of the 2026-2027 COVID 19 vaccine (Pfizer Cominarty, Moderna Spikevax, Moderna mNEXSPIKE or Sanofi Nuvaxovid). You should get the vaccines 6 months apart (minimum interval 2 months).

For people who are immunocompromised, age and vaccine history determine which COVID-19 vaccine to get and the number of doses needed.



 



  



 

 [Basic Facts

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/basic-facts) 

 

 [Causes

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/causes) 

 

 [Symptoms

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/symptoms) 

 

 [Diagnosis & Tests

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/tests) 

 

 [Care & Treatment

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/care-treatment) 

 

 [Lifestyle & Management

 ](/a-z-topic/covid19/lifestyle)