The FDA disapproves the monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as booster doses for people 12 years and older. Individuals 12 years and older should reschedule their appointments for previously authorized monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna boosters when the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is available.
Both mRNA monovalent vaccines can still be used in the first series, and children ages 5 to 11 can get a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 monovalent vaccine.
Over time, the virus that causes COVID-19 mutates. Booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine that have been updated will keep your defenses current. The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters contain elements of the Omicron variant and the original virus strain.
A bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is what this is. The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters provide comprehensive COVID-19 protection, including enhanced defense against the Omicron variant.
The COVID-19 vaccine can aid in preventing death, serious illness, and hospitalization due to the COVID-19 virus. You might lose some of that defense as the virus evolves and your immunity ages naturally. Updated (bivalent) booster vaccines are permitted to help improve COVID-19 protection.
What booster doses of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine has the FDA approved?
For use as a single booster dose at least two months after completing primary or booster vaccination, the FDA approved bivalent versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is approved for use in adults aged 18 and older as a single booster dose. Individuals 12 years and older may receive a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent.
Am I eligible for a booster dose of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine?
- Your age determines whether you qualify for a booster.
- When you received your most recent monovalent COVID-19 booster dose, following your primary vaccination
- Consider receiving a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster if you are eligible.
An updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine offers broad protection against COVID-19 and better protection against COVID-19 caused by the currently circulating Omicron variant with just one booster dose.
The updated COVID-19 vaccine booster you receive does not have to come from the same manufacturer as the vaccine you received for your primary vaccination or previous booster if you are qualified.
