COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Booster Approved

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), with approval from the CDC recommended the updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 boosters. Here is what you need to know: 

• The new “bivalent” vaccines are designed differently than before and can more effectively cover Omicron strains of the COVID-19. 
• The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine will be a single dose. 
• A person should wait two months after receiving a primary series or other monovalent boosters before receiving the new bivalent booster. 
• The bivalent booster is the sole booster.  
• Co- administration of the bivalent and influenza vaccine are allowed without contraindications.  

• Providers may offer both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during vaccine clinics if a person is eligible for both.  

AHCA (American Health Care Association) continues to meet with CDC and LTC (Long Term Care) pharmacy partners to ensure nursing homes and assisted living residents remains a top priority for access to the new bivalent booster.  

Recommended Next Steps:

• Contact your LTC pharmacy partner and schedule bivalent booster and influenza clinics ASAP.  

Contact Lori Davenport at ldavenport@ihca.org with questions.