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9 Questions About The New Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Shots & When You Can Get One. Learn About The New Booster, How It Is Different, & If It Protects Against New Variants.
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Oct 3, 2022 · What is the bivalent booster? The bivalent booster is the most recent version of the COVID-19 vaccine. It contains both the original vaccine strain [of the virus] and a strain derived from the BA.5 omicron variant, which is currently dominating here in the U.S., so that we can maximize protection against severe disease and potentially from ...
- Overview
- What is a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine?
- What’s the difference between the original COVID-19 vaccines and the bivalent vaccines?
- How effective is the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine?
- Who can get a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine?
- Takeaway
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines contain two different components. One protects against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, while the other protects against more recent variants.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to evolve over time. This has led to the continued emergence of new viral variants.
New variants differ significantly from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 that was identified in 2019. For example, a 2022 review notes that, compared to the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, the Omicron variant carries at least 60 mutations.
COVID-19 vaccines were developed based on the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. However, the continued evolution of the virus means that these original vaccines may not be as effective against newer variants.
A COVID-19 bivalent vaccine has two different components. These provide two levels of protection.
The first component protects against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. This is the component that was present in the original COVID-19 vaccines. It aims to provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2.
The second component protects against more recent variants of SARS-CoV-2. This helps the COVID-19 vaccines keep pace with the continued evolution of the virus.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized two COVID-19 bivalent vaccines in the fall of 2022. These were mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
The original COVID-19 vaccines were monovalent. This means that they contained one component. Meanwhile, as we discussed earlier, the bivalent vaccines contain two components.
Overall, the side effects of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine are similar to those of the original COVID-19 vaccine. Some of the most common side effects can include:
•pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site
•fatigue
•fever, with or without chills
•body aches and pains
The COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is effective at protecting from serious illness and death due to COVID-19. However, the protection that it gives decreases in the weeks after it’s given.
One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2023, included data from roughly a little over 1.2 million people who had received a COVID-19 bivalent booster. Its key findings were:
•The effectiveness against severe infection that resulted in hospitalization or death was:
•67.4%, at 2 weeks after vaccination
•47.5% after 4 weeks
•44.3% after 10 weeks
Currently, the CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine. This is regardless of whether you’ve previously had any of the original COVID-19 vaccines.
Children under 6 years old who received the original COVID-19 vaccine can also get the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine. The number of doses used depends on the type of vaccine and number of doses they originally received, as well as age.
Some individuals may get a second dose of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine. This includes:
•adults ages 65 years and older: recommended time frame is 4 or more months after their first dose of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine
COVID-19 bivalent vaccines contain two components. One protects against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, while the other protects against more recent Omicron subvariants.
The COVID-19 bivalent vaccine effectively protects against serious illness or death due to COVID-19, although protection wanes with time. Its side effects are similar to the original monovalent vaccine.
Oct 12, 2022 · The updated boosters are called bivalent because they protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5. The previous boosters are monovalent because they were designed to protect against the original virus.
Aug 31, 2022 · The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine,...
May 17, 2023 · This booster is identical to the reformulated, or "bivalent," booster introduced in fall 2022 in that it targets two virus strains: Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The bivalent boosters are available from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
Mar 14, 2023 · For the authorization of a single booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent for children 6 months through 4 years of age at least 2 months after completion of primary vaccination...
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related to: What is the bivalent booster?65 And Older & Got A 2023-24 COVID-19 Shot? You May Be Eligible For An Additional Dose. Use The Vaccine Finder To Find COVID-19 Vax Locations Near You & Help Stay Protected.
9 Questions About The New Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Shots & When You Can Get One. Learn About The New Booster, How It Is Different, & If It Protects Against New Variants.
