The new, improved, omicron-specific vaccine formula is now on shelves across the US! So if you’ve been holding out, here’s your moment. The booster is recommended for *everyone* aged 12 and up, at least 2 months from their last dose.
Yes, everyone. No if’s or then’s. Everyone over age 11. Two months from your last dose.
Make an appointment at your local pharmacy now. And hey, while you’re there, get your flu shot! They’re available now as well and it is no problem to get both at once.
The updated booster is called a bivalent vaccine booster. It targets BOTH the spike protein of the original Wuhan strain and the spike protein of the Omicron strain. Side effects in initial safety trials were more mild than reactions to the primary series.
Both Moderna and Pfizer have released their updated boosters. Moderna’s is available for people ages 18 and older, and Pfizer’s is available for people 12 and older. One is not substantially different than the other, so just get whichever is available.
If you’ve just recovered from COVID-19, it’s safe to go get your booster as soon as you are no longer infectious (to be safe, let’s say wait 10 days after you first got sick). However, your immune system will be able to fight off a repeat infection for a bit, so if you want to, you can wait. We’d suggest waiting no more than 3 months.
Questions? Put them in the question box on our website. We’ll post about the updated booster again later this week.
EU residents: updated boosters are coming to you very soon! They were approved by the EMA last week and are now awaiting recommendation by the EC.
