Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Information

NEW: Updated (bivalent) Boosters Are Recommended for Some People

CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster from Pfizer or Moderna if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was their final primary series dose, or an original (monovalent) booster.

People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster.

NEW: The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is now available in the U.S. under Emergency Use Authorization (by the FDA) for primary vaccination for individuals 12 years and older, and as a first booster dose for adults 18 years and older.

Like COVID-19 vaccines, bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters are available for free to everyone living in the United States, regardless of immigration or insurance status. 

Updated COVID-19 (Bivalent) and (Monovalent) Vaccine Boosters  - What's the Difference?

The updated (bivalent) boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.

Previous boosters are called “monovalent” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. They also provide some protection against Omicron, but not as much as the updated (bivalent) boosters according to the CDC.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. The different versions of the virus that have developed over time are called variants.

Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed updated mRNA (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters.

Novax, a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer  has developed the only authorized and recommended protein subunit monovalent booster for adults.  This gives people ages 18 years and older the option to receive a Novavax monovalent booster instead of an updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster if they have completed primary series vaccination but have not previously received a COVID-19 booster—and if they cannot or will not receive mRNA vaccines.

Some may be unable to receive an mRNA vaccine as a result of an allergy to a component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or as a result of a history of a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or a lack of availability of an mRNA vaccine. People ages 18 and older may also choose to receive a Novavax monovalent booster if they are unwilling to receive mRNA vaccines, and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.

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COVID-19 Virus Infections and Spread

Viruses constantly change through mutation.  Some variants emerge and disappear while others may emerge and persist. New variants will continue to emerge.  According to the CDC, the Omicron spreads more easily than earlier variants, including the Delta variant. Anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others. Data suggest that Omicron can cause reinfection, even in people who have recovered from COVID-19.

CDC states that current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.