According to a press release from the Rock County Public Health Department, they are supporting the recent FDA authorization and CDC recommendation of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for use as a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those 5-11 years old. Bivalent COVID-19 booster doses are now recommended for everyone 5 and older.
On October 12, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization for the bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 “updated booster” vaccines to authorize use in those 5-11 years old. The bivalent vaccine recommended for those 5-11 years old has the same formulation as the previously authorized bivalent vaccine recommended for those 12 and older. The bivalent vaccines contain two components of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Each updated booster includes a component of the original strain of the virus that provides an immune response that is broadly protective, and a component that protects against the omicron variant of the virus.
The authorization of the bivalent vaccine for those 5-11 is supported by extensive analysis of immune response and safety data from multiple clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of the new bivalent booster doses in adult populations, and the monovalent (single component) booster doses in pediatric age groups.
The current eligibility guidelines for each updated booster dose include the following:
Moderna
• Individuals 6 years and older AND
• At least 2 months since primary vaccination or most recent booster dose with any
authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer
• Individuals 5 years and older AND
• At least 2 months since primary vaccination or most recent booster dose with any
authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
With the authorization of the bivalent vaccines in this age group, the monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available as a booster dose for those ages 5-11. Both the Moderna and Pfizer monovalent vaccines continue to be authorized and are available for primary series administration.
The Rock County Public Health Department anticipates being able to offer the updated booster doses for those 5-11 years old within the next week at their Janesville location located at 3328 N US Hwy 51. Until then, check with local pharmacies and other providers in Rock County for vaccine availability.
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