COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Boosters are now available by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The virus that causes COVID-19 changes over time. Keep your protection against COVID-19 up to date by getting a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID-19 and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant. These are called bivalent COVID-19 vaccines because they contain these two components. A bivalent COVID-19 vaccine may also be referred to as “updated” COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.
COVID-19 vaccines can help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. As the virus changes and your immunity naturally decreases over time, you may lose some of that protection.
What bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters has FDA authorized? The FDA authorized bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for use as a single booster dose at least two months after completing primary or booster vaccination. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for use as single booster dose in individuals 6 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 5 years of age and older.
Am I eligible for an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Eligibility for a booster depends on: • Your age • When you completed your primary vaccination • When received your most recent booster dose of a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine
If eligible, consider getting a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. A single booster dose with an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine provides broad protection against COVID-19 and is expected to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the currently circulating Omicron variant. If you are eligible for an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster, the updated booster dose that you receive does not need to be from the same manufacturer that made the vaccine that you received for your primary vaccination or previous booster with a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine. Alaskans have several options to find a vaccine provider or make an appointment: • Visit vaccines.gov • Text your ZIP code to 438829 • Call the Alaska COVID-19 Helpline at 907-646-3322 (hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays)
