“Receiving more than one updated booster is not currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
The US CDC issued the above guidance this week (March 27th), stating:
“At this time, one updated booster dose is recommended for everyone in order to maintain protection from severe illness.”
**Correction: This article was corrected on March 29, 2023 12:07 am ET to reflect that bilvalent boosters are now recommended for children aged 6 months-4 years who had the Pfizer primary series as well as the Moderna primary series.
We know older and immunocompromised people are quite concerned and eager for the opportunity to top up their COVID protection. Despite chatter from other government officials that this guidance might be updated, this does not seem imminent.
We know that’s not a satisfying answer for a lot of people. We personally would lean towards a policy that more vulnerable people and their clinicians should be given this option. Nonetheless, the good news is that hospitalization rates among older adults who have received the bivalent booster remain low.
Other countries are making different choices. In England, there will be an opportunity for Spring boosters for those living in long term care homes, over age 75 or younger and immunocompromised. Canada is making a similar offer for those over age 65 or in a vulnerable category.
Who CAN get an updated COVID booster in the US? If you or an eligible loved one haven’t yet had an updated booster, go get it!
In the US, the CDC recommends an updated (bivalent) booster for:
Everyone aged 5+ who completed their primary series (including previous monovalent boosters).
Everyone 6 months-4 years with Moderna primary series
As of March 16th, a new recommendation for children ages 6 months–4 years who previously completed a 3-dose monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech primary series to receive 1 bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose at least 2 months after completion of the monovalent primary series.
If you’ve had a recent COVID infection, you can wait 3-6 months after infection for your booster to maximize protection.
BOTTOM LINE:
No additional (meaning 2nd) updated COVID booster shot are currently available in the U.S. The U.S. may be moving towards annual updated boosters, but with “flexibility” for the most vulnerable if the situation changes.
Stay safe, stay well.
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
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Additional Links:
“One COVID-19 bivalent booster is enough for now, CDC finally decides”
