Now, mRNA bivalent doses are available for individuals who are age 6 months and older. In October, the FDA authorized Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for use as a additional dose in younger age groups.
You qualify to receive the bivalent vaccine if you received the first COVID-19 vaccination series even if you:
- Already received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. You should wait at least two months after your most recent COVID vaccine before getting an additional bivalent dose.
- Are vaccinated and recently had COVID-19. You can get the new booster as soon as you feel well enough. But the CDC suggests waiting three months after COVID-19 to get your next shot.
Unless you are age 6 months to 5 years, when receiving the updated bivalent dose, it does not need to be from the same manufacturer as your primary vaccine or booster.
For instance, if your first series was Novavax, Janssen, Moderna, or Pfizer, you can get a Moderna or Pfizer bivalent dose.
UPMC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older. The vaccine has consistently shown to reduce the risks of serious complications of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.