The New COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine
September 13, 2022
- What is it?
- The new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is a combination of ½ of the original vaccine and ½ of a new vaccine that is specific for the Omicron BA5/BA4 subvariants.
- Why do we need it?
- The COVID-19 virus continues to change and mutate.
- The good news is we are learning more about the virus and developing better tools for both prevention and treatment.
- Right now, the new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is our best protection to prevent COVID-19 reinfections, hospitalizations, and death as well as long COVID.
- It provides protection that appears to:
- be better at protection against a different variant (broader protection),
- last longer,
- and provide improved protection by engaging more of our immune fighter cells.
- Who should get it?
- Anyone 12 years old and older who has received the initial COVID-19 vaccine series, either Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson, AND is 2 months past their last vaccine shot. (Pfizer for 12 years old and older, Moderna for 18 years old and older)
- Note: The previous booster shots are no longer available. The new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is now the only booster shot that will be given.
- What if you have recently had a COVID-19 infection?
- You are eligible to get the new COVID-19 vaccine after you are feeling better and have completed your time in isolation. However, if you wait 2-3 months after your infection, you will likely get a better response from the new vaccine.
- Can you mix and match vaccines?
- Yes. It does not matter if you have had Moderna or Pfizer previously, you can get either the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
- If you are a male under the age of 30, the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine may have less risk of myocarditis (which is a rare occurrence).
- Is it safe?
- Yes. This new bivalent booster is similar to our new flu shot every year. It is the same type of vaccine, just an updated version.
- What about side effects?
- The information we have from the other COVID bivalent vaccine ( ½ the original and ½ BA1/BA2) shows LESS side effects than the original vaccination and monovalent booster shots.
- The most common side effects are still headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches.
- Will we continue to need booster shots?
- We don’t know yet; this could be an annual shot like the flu vaccine.
- It is important to understand that these new vaccine boosters are what is now necessary to be protected from severe illness and death due to COVID.
- Are we in the “endemic” stage now, and if so, are vaccines really needed?
- We are trying to get to the “endemic” stage. Models now suggest that this winter will be better than previous COVID winters in terms of infection rates.
- BUT we are still seeing 100,000 people die each year from COVID infections, and that is still too many (compared to the flu, which causes about 30,000 deaths each year).
- We need to decrease transmission and the best and easiest way to do that is with vaccination.
- What should we expect for the future?
- Recommendations for better protection from COVID-19 infections will change, just as the virus continues to change and we get smarter about protection.
- We should assume we are not done with adjusting our protection against COVID-19.
- Doing our part and getting vaccinated as recommended allows us to reclaim our lives, our economy, and helps prevent stressing our healthcare system beyond its capacity.
- When we increase our protection by getting the recommended booster shot, it not only protects us personally, but it helps restore the familiar way of life for our communities.
- What about the flu this year? Is the flu shot still important?
- It may be a very active flu season this year, as we are seeing a significant uptick in flu cases in the southern hemisphere (Australia).
- It will be very important to get your flu shot.
- If you are over 65, the CDC now recommends a high dose flu vaccine.
- A Danish study has shown a 64% reduction in hospitalization in this age group for those who had a high dose flu shot compared to the regular dose flu shot
- You can get the flu shot and the new bivalent COVID shot on the same day, just in different arms. This is safe and effective.
- There is also some data that shows that getting your flu shot each year can decrease your risk of dementia and other diseases.