The new, updated, bivalent COVID-19 boosters are now available for use, but the latest KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey finds that awareness of the updated boosters is relatively modest, with about half of adults saying they’ve heard “a lot” (17%) or “some” (33%) about the new shots. About a third of all adults (32%) say they’ve already gotten a new booster dose or intend to get one “as soon as possible.”
A bivalent vaccine, however, contains mRNA components from two strains of virus. The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine includes mRNA from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 (just like the initial vaccine) and contains an mRNA component from the BA.4/BA.5 omicron variant. This new bivalent booster was created to combat multiple strains of COVID-19 and protect our bodies from experiencing severe illness.
The bivalent COVID-19 booster was produced because the BA.4/BA.5 strains of the omicron variant are currently causing the most cases of COVID-19 in the United States. These strains are predicted to circulate heavily this fall and winter. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from illness caused by COVID-19 is to get the bivalent booster shot.
Pfizer and BioNTech said in a press release that people who received their bivalent booster shots had far higher levels of antibodies to fight SARS-CoV-2, than people who received previous booster shots.
The companies announced the findings from phase 2/3 studies, but those findings were not yet peer-reviewed.
“As we head into the holiday season, we hope these updated data will encourage people to seek out a COVID-19 bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible in order to maintain high levels of protection against the widely circulating Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. “These updated data also provide confidence in the adaptability of our mRNA platform and our ability to rapidly update the vaccine to match the most prevalent strains each season.”
“These data demonstrate that our BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccine works as conceptually planned in providing stronger protection against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech. “In the next step and as part of our science-based approach we will continue to evaluate the cross-neutralization of the adapted vaccine against new variants and sublineages. Our goal is to provide broader immunity against COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron and other circulating strains.”
Walgreens is offering both Pfizer and Moderna’s new boosters. The shots haven’t reached all of the chain’s locations yet, but new appointments are being added daily. You can view and schedule appointments on the Walgreens website, on the pharmacy’s app or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS.
- Vaccines.gov has a search filter for the “newly authorized bivalent” booster options, which you can use to find other locations near you. The website says that if you can’t find a convenient location, you should check back later or contact your local health department or health care provider.
Walgreens’ online scheduling tool makes it clear that a location is offering the “updated booster.” Other pharmacies and clinics, don’t necessarily specify — but any booster shot you receive now will be the new one, according to recent FDA guidance.
