Omicron-Specific Booster Shots Are Available Now

If Covid infections recur this winter, a vaccine is the best protection

Author created illustration; Moderna image by Guido Hofmann, Pfizer image by Jesse Paul on Unsplash

The FDA approved the bivalent formulations of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine as a single booster dose on August 31, 2022. The updated "bivalent" boosters contain two messenger RNA (mRNA) components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the original strain and the one found in the omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5 lineages. The new formulations are expected to provide better protection against Covid-19 caused by the Omicron subvariants.

The number of new cases due to Covid-19, hospital admissions, and deaths are trending downward. Still, the disease kills approximately 400 persons per day. The predominant Omicron strain is the BA.5 lineage, projected to be 81.3% of the total number of cases.

Are these booster shots authorized for all age groups?

The answer is no.

• The bivalent Moderna vaccine is authorized for individuals 18 and older.
• The bivalent Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for individuals 12 and older.

Who is eligible for the new booster shots, and when?