New Updates on Modernized Covid-19 Boosters
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved newer boosters for the original strain of the Coronavirus, as well as the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The hope is that these vaccines will enhance protection against the currently circulating virus, causing Covid-19.
Here's what you need to know about the new bivalent boosters and who can receive them.
What are the differences between these new boosters?
The new bivalent vaccines contain instructions to help our cells defend against two strains of the virus causing Covid-19. These injections instruct cells to produce antibodies that bind to parts of the Spike Protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which share the same Spike.
As of now, BA.4 and BA.5 are the dominant variants in the United States, with an average of 91,000 new infections reported daily.
"These vaccines are manufactured, produced, and delivered in the same way as the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines that most of us have already received," said Dr. Gregory Polish, Director of Vaccine Research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "In a way, one just changes the blueprint."
The bivalent designation does not mean a person receives a double dose of active ingredients.
"The total mRNA content (the active ingredient of the vaccine) that triggers an immune response is the same," said Dr. William Gruber, Senior Vice President for Vaccine Development at Pfizer, which produces one of the newer boosters.
Pfizer's new booster is a 30-microgram dose, containing 15 micrograms of mRNA for the original strain and 15 micrograms for the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. It is approved for individuals aged 12 years and above.
Moderna's bivalent booster is a 50-microgram dose, with 25 micrograms of mRNA to combat the original strain of the Coronavirus and 25 micrograms to combat the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. It is approved for individuals aged 18 years and above.
The initial mRNA vaccines are still the first two vaccines individuals receive, though they are not approved for use as boosters for individuals aged 12 years and above.
Where can I get the latest Covid-19 boosters?
Millions of doses of the updated Covid-19 vaccines are now being delivered to thousands of locations across the country. This includes municipal health departments, health clinics, and pharmacies.
CVS and Walgreens are now offering appointments. Both chains are booking appointments online and say they will add more spots as they become available.
The Biden administration expects availability to increase in the first days and to be widely available within weeks. People can find locations on .
"You will see that some places have initial attempts this weekend, but due to Labor Day weekend, that's relatively rare. I expect that within next week or certainly within the next 10 days, this will happen," said Ashish Jha, Director of the White House Covid-19 Response Team, speaking to CNN.
These will, like the previous Covid-19 vaccines, be provided free of charge. However, they may represent the last free Covid-19 gifts from the government, which is expected to begin commercialization of treatments and vaccines in the fall.
Who should get the latest Covid-19 boosters?
The updated booster is recommended for individuals aged 12 and above who have already received the primary vaccine series.
Experts advise that everyone should get vaccinated as the vaccine and infection-induced immunity protection decreases over time for individuals of all ages.
"I'm convinced that it will be beneficial for almost everyone, and certainly there are more benefits for older adults and people with pre-existing conditions," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, speaking to CNN on Friday.
Adults aged 18 and above can receive the Pfizer or Moderna booster. Adolescents aged 12 and above can receive the new Pfizer booster.
When should I get the latest Covid-19 booster?
You should wait two months after your last vaccination to receive a booster dose.
For individuals who have recently recovered from a Covid-19 infection, the CDC recommends waiting until the illness has passed and they are no longer contagious. To achieve optimal results, it is best to receive the booster injections three months after the symptoms appear. The infection itself may serve as a booster. Research indicates that the risk of re-infection within about three months after recovery is relatively low.
If the Covid-19 cases in your community are already high or your immune function is weakened, you might want to wait less than three months.
"In my own case, I was vaccinated, received a double booster, and contracted the virus. I will receive a BA.4 booster. I received the bivalent booster within three months of my infection, which is the approach recommended by the FDA," said Fauci.
Can individuals receive other vaccines simultaneously with the updated Covid-19 booster?
US health agencies recommend healthcare providers offer the flu shot and the Covid-19 vaccine simultaneously to individuals for whom the vaccine is appropriate. This will likely be the case during the upcoming fall and winter, when both Influenza and Covid-19 are expected to have a high transmission rate.
The government is also preparing a campaign to encourage Americans to get their annual Flu shot, as well as the new Covid-19 booster shots.
According to CDC guidelines, the Jynneos Monkeypox vaccine should not be administered simultaneously with other vaccines. The CDC recommends individuals, particularly teenagers and young men, consider waiting four weeks after receiving the Affenpocken-vaccine before receiving the Covid-19 vaccine from Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer-BioNTech. Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, or Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium (the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart), are potential side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The CDC adds that the Affenpocken vaccine should not be delayed due to recent receipt of the Covid-19 vaccine from Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer-BioNTech.
When will younger children receive updated Covid-19 booster doses?
Children aged 5 to 11 can still receive the original single-strain vaccines.
Impfstoffhersteller are now working on updating booster doses for younger children. Pfizer plans to submit a request to the FDA for approval of the vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 in early October. Pfizer is working with the FDA to update the vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years.
Until this is available, the best way to protect young infants, toddlers, and elementary schoolchildren is to offer the updated booster to eligible family members and close friends.
Can immunocompromised individuals receive the latest Covid-19 boosters?
Yes, but there are additional considerations. When an illness or medication weakens an individual's immune function, the CDC recommends a two-fold approach to strengthen their protection against Covid-19: vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis with a form of passive immunity known as Evusheld. In passive immunization, antibodies are produced in a lab and then administered to individuals who cannot produce sufficient antibodies themselves.
Evusheld is taken every six months and is approved for individuals aged 12 and above. The treatment itself is free, but a prescription is required. The CDC estimates that 7 million individuals may be eligible for Evusheld, but most have not yet received it because they are not aware of it.
If Evusheld is required, it is best to wait at least two weeks after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine before taking Evusheld. However, no waiting period is required after taking Evusheld before receiving the updated covid booster.
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