Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Available through the Delaware County Health Department Starting September 28

Released: September 28, 2022

Starting Wednesday, September 28, the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will begin providing the bivalent formulation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster to Delaware County residents, in addition to the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent formulation first made available on September 22.

The new bivalent boosters—developed specifically to combat Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5—were approved for use by the FDA on August 31 and give individuals broad protection against COVID-19.

The Moderna formulation of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster is approved for use for individuals 18 years of age and older, while the Pfizer-BioNTech formulation of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster is approved for use for individuals 12 years of age and older. Adolescents must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver in order to receive a booster shot.

Delaware County residents interested in receiving the booster through the Delaware County Health Department are urged to schedule an appointment for our Yeadon and Chester clinics. Walk-ins in Yeadon and Chester are welcome as supplies last. Vaccinations at the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby are all walk-ins. All vaccinations are free of charge.

To schedule an appointment, visit delcopa.gov/appointments.

In addition, the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters (Pfizer and Moderna) are available at select pharmacies in Delaware County and throughout the region. For the most up-to-date appointment availability, visit the Federal Vaccines website at www.vaccines.gov/.

Please note the following CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19 boosters:

Individuals 18+ may get a different product for a booster than they got for their primary series, as long as it is Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Teens ages 12-17 years may get a different product for a booster than they got for their primary series, as long as it is Pfizer-BioNTech.

Children ages 5 through 11 years who got a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series must also get Pfizer-BioNTech for a booster.

Individuals 12+ may only get the updated (bivalent) mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) booster. They can no longer get an original (monovalent) mRNA booster.

Novavax is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time.

For additional information, please contact the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line, available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at (484) 276 – 2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.