The new U.S. COVID-19 boosters are combination, or “Bivalent,” shots. They contain half the original vaccine recipe and half for the protection against the newest omicron versions, called BA.4 and BA.5, that are considered the most contagious yet. The bivalent combination aims to increase cross-protection against multiple variants.
As of September 2, 2022, the Guidance has been updated to include:
I. New booster recommendation for people ages 12 years and older to receive 1 bivalent mRNA booster after completion of a monovalent primary series; it replaces all prior booster recommendations for this age group:
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- Recommendations for use of a bivalent Moderna booster dose in people ages 18 years and older
- Recommendations for use of a bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose in people ages 12 years and older
II. Updated guidance for observation periods following COVID-19 vaccination
III. Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children (MIS-C) and in adults (MIS-A)
“The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants. This recommendation followed a comprehensive scientific evaluation and robust scientific discussion. If you are eligible, there is no bad time to get your COVID-19 booster and I strongly encourage you to receive it,” shared Dr. Walensky, the CDC Director.
References:
- Summary Document for Interim Clinical Considerations (Updated 8/22/2022)
- Interim COVID-19 Immunization Schedule (Updated 9/7/2022)
- At-A-Glance COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule (Updated 9/6/2022)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Children who Transition from a Younger to Older Age Group
- Pfizer-BioNTech for Children who Transition from a Younger to Older Age Group
CDC COCA Call: Recommendations for Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Doses in People Ages 12 Years and Older
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 | 1:00 pm CT
During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss CDC’s new guidance on bivalent COVID-19 booster doses for people ages 12 years and older, including those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. COVID-19 vaccination provides protection against serious illness and outcomes associated with COVID-19, including emergency department or urgent care visits, hospitalizations, and death. Updated COVID-19 vaccines add an Omicron BA.4/5 spike protein component to the previous monovalent composition. These bivalent booster doses help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting more transmissible and immune-evading variants. These boosters also broaden the spectrum of variants that the immune system is ready to respond to.
Access the COCA CallTo access available sessions, you first need to create an account. There will be a web on-demand version of the call available after the live event.