CDC Expands Recommendations for Use of Bivalent COVID-19 Booster

Last Wednesday, the CDC expanded recommendations for the use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 5 through 11 years old and Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 6 through 17 years old. The “updated boosters” vaccines target multiple strains of COVID-19—the original strain of the virus and 2 of the Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5).

The updated boost doses for this age group are already available for those seeking Moderna and arriving this week for Pfizer. Various providers will be offering the bivalent boost dose for this age group including local pharmacies, doctor’s offices and health departments.
 
Individuals may choose to receive either the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent booster, regardless of which primary series vaccine or original booster dose they received. The current monovalent vaccine is no longer available for those 5 and older for use as a booster but remains available to complete the primary series.

Those who are eligible to receive a bivalent booster dose right now include:

• Moderna Booster: Individuals 6 years of age and older if it has been at least 2 months since they completed their primary vaccination series or received a booster dose.

• Pfizer-BioNTech: Individuals 5 years of age and older if it has been at least 2 months since they completed their primary vaccination series or received a booster dose.