Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Approved by FDA
Released: September 1, 2022
As of August 31, 2022, the FDA has approved the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. The bivalent booster shot consists of half of the original COVID-19 vaccine formulation developed to provide protection against the original strain, and half of a new formulation developed specifically to combat Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
Bivalent booster shots are currently available in select pharmacies in Delaware County. Please check the Federal website at www.vaccines.gov for the most up-to-date appointment availability in the Delaware County area.
Bivalent booster shots are not yet available through the Delaware County Health Department but are expected to be available at Delaware County COVID 19 vaccination clinics soon. Please visit DCHD’s website at delcopa.gov/vax for updates.
Bivalent booster shots will be available from both Moderna and Pfizer manufacturers. Patients are recommended to continue to receive the vaccine they started the series with. If the vaccine product previously administered cannot be determined, is no longer available or contraindicated, other age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.
Those who originally received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine can choose to continue with either Moderna or Pfizer and should proceed with that selection going forward. The first booster can be received two months after the primary immunization series and then the second booster four months later. Age and immunocompromised status may play a part in determining eligibility; Moderna bivalent booster vaccine will be available to those 18+, Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine will be available to those 12+.
Further information on eligibility can be found in the Press Announcements section of the FDA website, accessible at www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-newsroom/press-announcements, or by contacting the Delaware County Health Department.
Residents can contact the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.
