Updated COVID-19 Vaccines (Bivalent Boosters)

🗹 Updated COVID vaccines are here for everyone 6 months or older to help protect against new variants.

🗹  It doesn’t matter which COVID vaccine you got or how many boosters you’ve already gotten.

🗹 Get your updated vaccine 2 months after your last dose.
Key Figures for Pfizer Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
🗹 Updated COVID vaccines generate 4x higher neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant than the original COVID-19 vaccine.

🗹 One month after a booster dose of the updated COVID vaccine, Omicron neutralizing antibodies increased 13.2x in adults 55+ years old and 9.5x in adults 18 to 55 years old, compared to a 2.9x increase in adults older than 55+ years old who received the original booster vaccine.

You are not required to wait, but CDC recommends waiting 3 months after your COVID-19 infection.

People 5 and over who have completed a Pfizer primary vaccine series or received a booster dose at least 2 months ago.

Individuals 6 months and older who have completed a Moderna primary series can receive an updated Moderna booster two months later.

Individuals 6 months - 4 years who have completed a Pfizer primary series can receive an updated Pfizer booster two months later.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine was designed specifically to target Omicron subvariants – the dominant strains currently circulating in the U.S. 

The updated vaccine, or bivalent booster, is called "bivalent" because it protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. 

Previous vaccines and boosters are called "monovalent" because they were only designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. 

The updated vaccine uses the same technology as the prior Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which have been safely administered billions of times. 

Human trials were completed for an updated bivalent booster (original plus Omicron BA.1/BA.2) earlier this summer. These trials showed improved antibody response and no safety concerns, with the same side-effect profiles as earlier vaccines. 

You can receive your updated vaccine (bivalent booster) 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine. 

Before you get the updated vaccine, you'll need to complete your primary series. After receiving your second dose you can receive the updated vaccine (bivalent booster) at least 2 months after that second shot.

SCHD recommends bringing your CDC vaccination card with you when receiving your updated vaccine (bivalent booster). 

You will get a new one. CDC recommends completing a second card and stapling the two cards together. Both cards should be presented when vaccination history is required for travel, employment, or other purposes. 

Children 6 months and older who have completed a Moderna primary series can receive an updated Moderna booster two months later.

Children 6 months - 4 years who have completed a three-dose Pfizer primary series can receive an updated Pfizer booster two months later. 

Yes.

Yes. Individuals 5 and over are up to date when they have received their primary vaccine series in addition to an updated vaccine (bivalent booster). For children under age 5, up-to-date means completing a primary vaccination series. 
Yes, if a person is eligible, both flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same visit, as recommended by CDC and ACIP. In addition to flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine can be given with other vaccines as well. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.

COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone at no cost, including the updated vaccine (bivalent booster).