Modernized Covid-19 Booster Updates
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved revamped boosters to combat the original Coronavirus strain and the dominant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The goal is to strengthen protection against current virus-induced Covid-19.
Look below for the lowdown on these latest bivalent boosters and who qualifies for them.
What's different about these new jabs?
The new bivalent vaccines instruct cells to generate antibodies targeting parts of the Spike Protein for both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain and the BA.4/BA.5 variants, which share the same Spike.
As of now, BA.4/BA.5 account for around 91,000 daily reported infections in the U.S.
Dr. Gregory Polish, Director of Vaccine Research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explains: "These vaccines are consistent in production, delivery, and purpose: simply adjust the blueprint."
The 'bivalent' label doesn't signal a twin dose of active ingredients. Instead, it means the same total dose (active ingredient) is used to trigger an immune response, only split between the original strain and the BA.4/BA.5 variants.
Check out the details for the newer boosters from two of the leading manufacturers.
Pfizer's Approach
Pfizer's 30-microgram dose contains 15 micrograms of mRNA for the original strain and 15 micrograms for the BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. It's approved for individuals aged 12 and above.
Moderna's Solution
Moderna's 50-microgram dose litterally doubles the Pfizer dose, dividing it equally: 25 micrograms of mRNA to combat the original strain and 25 micrograms to combat the BA.4/BA.5 variants. It is approved for individuals aged 18 and above.
Whether through primary vaccination or extra injections, the original mRNA vaccines still serve as the foundation for all doses, unauthorized for booster use in individuals aged 12 and above.
Where can I get these latest Covid-19 boosters?
Millions of updated Covid-19 vaccine doses are now arriving at innumerable locations across the country, including municipal health departments, health clinics, and pharmacies.
CVS and Walgreens are now booking appointments online, with additional spots becoming available in the near future.
"[We're seeing] initial attempts this weekend, but it's quite low due to Labor Day weekend. Within a week or so, though, availability will greatly improve," says Ashish Jha, Director of the White House Covid-19 Response Team, speaking to CNN.
These boosters will continue to be provided for free, although commercialization of treatments and vaccines is expected to begin in the fall.
Who should get the latest Covid-19 boosters?
The new boosters are recommended for individuals aged 12 and above who have completed the primary vaccine series.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, advises that individuals of all ages should get vaccinated to maintain immunity protection as it naturally declines over time.
Adults can choose between Pfizer's or Moderna's booster, while adolescents aged 12 and above can receive the new Pfizer booster.
When should I get the latest Covid-19 booster?
Wait for two months after your last vaccination to receive the boosters.
Recently infected individuals should wait until they're no longer contagious, ideally gaining optimal protection through a booster three months after symptoms appear. Research suggests re-infection within about three months post-recovery is rare.
High community infection rates or weakened immune functions may prompt earlier booster injection.
"In my situation, I was vaccinated, received a double booster, and contracted the virus. I'll receive a BA.4 booster within three months of my infection, aligning with the FDA's recommendation," says Fauci.
Can I receive other vaccines simultaneously with the updated Covid-19 booster?
Health agencies endorse co-administering the flu shot and the Covid-19 vaccine to eligible individuals. Approach this season's fall and winter when both viruses are anticipated to have high transmission rates with this practice in mind.
The government is also focusing on a campaign encouraging Americans to receive both a Flu shot and the new Covid-19 booster shots.
According to CDC guidelines, the Jynneos Monkeypox vaccine should not be administered simultaneously with other vaccines. Instead, individuals should consider waiting four weeks after receiving the Affenpocken vaccine in certain cases before receiving the Covid-19 vaccine from Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer-BioNTech.
And finally, when will younger children receive updated Covid-19 booster doses?
Children aged 5 to 11 can still receive the original single-strain vaccines.
Drug manufacturers are currently working on updated 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 also in the process of updating the vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years.
Until the newly approved vaccine is available for younger children, the most effective way to protect them is to ensure eligible family members and close friends receive the updated booster.
Can immunocompromised individuals receive the latest Covid-19 boosters?
Yes, but additional considerations are necessary. When an illness or medication weakens someone's immune function, the CDC suggests a two-pronged approach for increased protection against Covid-19: vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis with Evusheld, a form of passive immunity generated through lab-produced antibodies administered to individuals with impaired antibody production.
Evusheld is taken every six months and is approved for individuals aged 12 and above, with the treatment itself being free, but a prescription required. The CDC estimates approximately 7 million individuals may be eligible for Evusheld, but most have yet to receive it due to lack of awareness.
If Evusheld is necessary, 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-19 booster.
