There is a new bivalent booster that has been approved and we are getting a lot of questions about all the different COVID vaccine options out there. We prepared this guide to try and help you in making your decisions, this applies to people who are immunocompetent [meaning they don’t have an underlying medical condition that impacts their immune system]. We know this is confusing, we’ve shared some informational diagrams as well for those of you who are more visual learners 😊 Feel free to set up an appointment with your doctor at PWG if you have more questions or would like to discuss further. We currently have the following COVID vaccines: Novavax primary series for 12 years and up, Pfizer for 6 months and up [both primary series, old booster and new booster], Moderna 6mos and up [primary series and old booster for 18+, we do not have their new bivalent booster].
- Primary series: these are the first doses of the vaccine and need to be completed before any boosters are given.
- Pfizer age 6mo-4yrs: need 3 doses in the primary series. Dose 1 –> in 3 to 8 weeks get dose 2 –> at least 8 weeks later get dose 3
- Pfizer age 5 years and older: need 2 doses in the primary series. Dose 1 –> in 3 to 8 weeks get dose 2
- Moderna age 6 months and older: need 2 doses in the primary series. Dose 1 –> in 4 to 8 weeks get dose 2
- Novavax age 12 years and older: need 2 doses in the primary series. Dose 1 –> in 4 to 8 weeks get dose 2
- Boosters: these are additional doses of COVID vaccine that enhance or restore protection against COVID-19, which may have decreased over time.
- Monovalent booster aka “the old booster”: this was the 3rd shot given to most people after finishing the primary series.
- No longer recommended for people 12 years and up
- Children ages 5–11 years are recommended to continue receiving 1 monovalent mRNA booster dose at least 5 months after completing the primary series
- Bivalent booster aka “the new booster”: this was just approved this month
- People cannot get a bivalent booster without first completing at least a primary series
- Must be 2+ months from previous booster or primary series
- Consider waiting 3+ months to get a booster after a prior COVID infection
- Pfizer bivalent booster is approved for people 12 years and up
- Moderna bivalent booster is approved for people 18 years and up
- Ok to “mix and match” age-approved and age-appropriate boosters
- Monovalent booster aka “the old booster”: this was the 3rd shot given to most people after finishing the primary series.