On August 31, 2022, the FDA authorized both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent boosters. These “updated” COVID-19 boosters were also recommended by the CDC on September 1, 2022. Administration of the bivalent COVID-19 boosters can begin now with the CDC’s official recommendation. Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, if it has been at least two months since they completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Monovalent mRNA CVOID-19 vaccines are NO LONGER authorized for use as boosters in people ages 12 years and older, effective immediately.
Mass Senior Care encourages all nursing facilities to reach out to their long term care pharmacy partners regarding booster vaccine availability.