COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Guidance
COVID-19 spreads and mutates rapidly but staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine can help protect against COVID-19 variants and the reduce the severity of your symptoms.
To keep yourself and your loved ones protected against COVID-19, the that everyone five years or older who has not yet received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine get at least one updated bivalent dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. If your child is less than 5 years old, they should complete the remaining doses of their 3 dose primary series with bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech.
If you are immunocompromised and/or over 65, you may want to consider a second bivalent dose . An ACCESS provider can work with you to figure out the best protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is different about the updated bivalent vaccine?
The updated bivalent vaccines are called “updated” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants. Bivalent vaccines have been available since Fall 2022, if you received a vaccine around that time or later, you likely have a bivalent vaccine dose.
How long after my last monovalent COVID-19 vaccine should I receive a bivalent dose?
- Everyone five years and older should get a bivalent dose at least 8 weeks from their last monovalent dose or 3 months since they last had COVID.
- You do not need to match your bivalent vaccine dose with the brand you previously received.
If I have already received a bivalent dose, do I need another one?
- If you are older than 65 and have already received a bivalent dose, you may receive an additional dose at least 4 months after the first dose.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who have already received a bivalent dose may get 1 additional updated COVID-19 bivalent dose 2 or more months after their last dose.
COVID-19 Vaccinations at ACCESS
ACCESS offers Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 6 months and older at all ACCESS health centers. To schedule your first dose, second dose or booster appointment, call 1.866.267.2353. The COVID-19 vaccination is administered at no cost to the patient.
As of May 12, 2023