October 4, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved — and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend — that all individuals ages 12 and older receive one updated, “bivalent” booster dose, specifically engineered to fight both the original version of SARS-CoV-2 and the most prevalent Omicron strain of the virus.
The CDC recommends the reformulated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster for people ages 18 and older, and the updated Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster for individuals ages 12 and older.
The new bivalent booster replaces the former, monovalent booster dose for those 12 and older. Currently, there are no changes to the COVID-19 vaccine schedule for children ages 6 months to 11 years.
Both vaccines have been authorized for administration at least two months after a patient completes primary COVID-19 vaccinations or receives a previous booster.
Coryell County Medical Authority, Dr. Diedra Wuenschel, wants patients to know, as flu season quickly is approaching, patients safely can receive both the flu vaccine and the new COVID-19 booster during the same appointment. “The bivalent boosters are worth getting. They keep people out of hospitals, save lives and combat the pandemic,” said Wuenschel, who is also Coryell Health Medical Clinic Director and Chief of Staff. “Luckily, a major new variant hasn’t arisen, but the virus is still evolving. Reigning in the virus with new boosters every few months is not a long-term strategy, but it is all we have now, until a next-generation vaccine is developed that can fight all or most variants and provide long-lasting protection.”
This may be the last free shot; it is the final one Congress has funded. Wuenschel strongly recommends taking advantage of this opportunity.
Find Out When You Can Get Your Booster
Coryell Health Medical Clinic- Gatesville, Bldg. 2, is providing the Bivalent vaccine for walk-in and appointment scheduled patients. Monday- Friday, 8:30am-11:30am – 1:30pm- 4:30pm. Doses for 5-11 year-olds are in route. Follow Coryell Health’s Facebook page for the latest COVID-19 updates.
For more information about the recent booster, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html and/or https://dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine/.