In last week’s community partner newsletter, we explored the difference between monovalent and bivalent vaccines and the development of a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine targeting the omicron variant. Access last week’s update here.
As data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows, omicron remains the most widespread COVID-19 variant. In fact, according to data reviewed last week, 90 percent of current cases are specifically caused by the omicron BA.5 subvariant. With this data in mind, the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) recommended that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna update their existing bivalent vaccines to include omicron BA.4 and BA.5 components.
Fortunately, both companies have developed an omicron-targeting COVID-19 bivalent booster, complete with omicron BA.4 and BA.5 components, which received authorization as announced in a news release from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) on September 3, 2022. According to DOH, these bivalent boosters provide improved protection from the currently circulating variants of COVID-19.
DOH currently recommends the following regarding COVID-19 booster doses:
- People ages 12 – 17 who have completed a primary vaccine series can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose.
- People 18 and older who have completed a primary vaccine series can receive either company’s bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose.
- Those ages 5 – 11 who have completed Pfizer-BioNTech’s primary vaccine series should continue to receive the company’s original monovalent booster at least 5 months after their most recent dose.
- Children ages 6 months – 4 years are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses.
- People ages 12 and over who currently have appointments to receive COVID-19 booster doses will need to contact their providers to ensure the bivalent booster is available; if not, those appointments will need to be rescheduled, as the former monovalent booster doses are no longer authorized for this age group.
According to the DOH news release, 191,100 bivalent booster doses were distributed throughout the state and should now be available to individuals who are eligible to receive the bivalent booster. Weekly allocations of the bivalent vaccine will follow this initial allocation of booster doses in the coming weeks. DOH requests patience from the public as demand for bivalent boosters may initially exceed available inventory.
To find a vaccine location near you, use the DOH Vaccine Locator or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127 for assistance.