Bivalent COVID Vaccines: What You Need to Know

With the ever-evolving news of COVID-19, vaccines, and booster shots, there may be some confusion when a new term is thrown into the mix: bivalent vaccines. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are essentially updated booster shots—they will help to protect against variant strands of COVID-19 like omicron. Learn more about what makes this vaccine so special and how it can provide increased protection against COVID-19 and its variants.

Monovalent Vaccines Vs. Bivalent Vaccines

Before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the usage of the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, people were receiving monovalent COVID-19 vaccines. A monovalent vaccine contains an mRNA component from only one strain of virus; the monovalent COVID-19 vaccine contains a component from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.

A bivalent vaccine, however, contains mRNA components from two strains of virus. The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine includes mRNA from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 (just like the initial vaccine) and contains an mRNA component from the BA.4/BA.5 omicron variant. This new bivalent booster was created to combat multiple strains of COVID-19 and protect our bodies from experiencing severe illness.

The bivalent COVID-19 booster was produced because the BA.4/BA.5 strains of the omicron variant are currently causing the most cases of COVID-19 in the United States. These strains are predicted to circulate heavily this fall and winter. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from illness caused by COVID-19 is to get the bivalent booster shot. Read below to see if you and your family members are eligible.

Who is Eligible for the Bivalent COVID-19 Booster?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• The bivalent Moderna vaccine is authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• The bivalent Pfizer vaccine is authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older.
• Both are approved as a single booster dose at least 2 months following primary or booster vaccination.
• The monovalent Pfizer vaccine remains authorized as a booster dose in 5–11-year-olds only.
• The monovalent Moderna (ages 6 months and older) and Pfizer (ages 6 months and older) vaccines remain authorized for completion of the primary vaccine series.
• A bivalent COVID-19 booster dose can be co-administered with other vaccines, including a flu shot.