The FDA authorized two new vaccines to be used as booster doses for protection against COVID-19. The Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in people ages 18 years and older while the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine was  authorized for use in people ages 12 years and older. The bivalent vaccines contain some of the original vaccine while adding in formulation to better protect against the more common strains currently circulating (Omicron BA.4/BA.5).

The new vaccine (called the “updated booster dose”) is authorized for a single dose only.

Everyone ages 12 years and older is recommended to receive one bivalent mRNA booster dose after completion of any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized monovalent primary series or last monovalent booster dose. For those who are immunocompromised, the third dose is considered part of the primary series. If you have not finished your primary series, you must finish that before you will be eligible for the updated booster dose.

For those 12-17 years of age, the only vaccine available is the bivalent Pfizer booster dose. For those 18 or older, you can choose which updated booster dose you would prefer to receive, depending on availability where you are.

You can get the updated booster dose if it has been at least 2 months since your final dose of primary series or last monovalent booster dose. The CDC panel is recommending waiting 90 days (3 months) after a natural infection of COVID-19 to receive the booster.

Check out this helpful COVID vaccine schedule provided by the CDC!

The bivalent booster recommendation replaces previous booster recommendations for people ages 12 years and older. At this time, there are no changes to schedules for children ages 6 months through 11 years.

This means that everyone ages 5 years and older who are eligible for a booster dose will now only be eligible for ONE booster dose.

• People ages 5 through 11 years (who received Pfizer-BioNTech primary series): 1 monovalent booster dose
• People ages 12 years and older: 1 bivalent booster dose

Please see the following resources:

1. Springfield Pharmacy Notice of Privacy Practices – click here
2. COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ – CDC Website – click here

Thank you for your interest in Springfield Pharmacy for a vaccination clinic! We’re always happy to help—We handle logistics, scheduling, and strategies to make the clinic as stress-free as possible!

To learn more, please call the pharmacy at (610) 544-4645.