The New Covid Booster Shot
The Covid Bivalent Booster Shot
Over the past two and half years we’ve all become very familiar with the ever-changing covid virus and its many variants. Because of the vaccine, the development of medications, virus mutations, and a better understanding of what covid is actually doing to our bodies, serious cases and death rates have gone down significantly. Vaccination still remains the most effective tool we have at keeping us from being hospitalized. This summer the omicron variant took over and essentially spread like wild-fire. The virus had started to mutate to a point that our vaccines were no longer working as well at keeping us protected. Now, a new booster shot is available and it’s offering better protection against the omicron variant. So what does this mean for you and should you get your booster shot?
What’s different about this covid booster shot?
Earlier this month, the FDA approved a new covid booster shot from both Pfizer and Moderna. This booster shot still covers the original covid virus and some of its earlier strains, but it also protects you from the omicron variant. You may hear this vaccine called a bivalent shot or an updated booster shot.
What is a bivalent shot?
The word bivalent means that this vaccine covers two different viruses. Or in the case of covid, two different variants. It will give you protection against the earlier strains of covid and the newer omicron variants.
Who can get the new booster shot?
The CDC has recommended that everyone over the age of 12 receive one bivalent booster shot if they have completed the primary covid shot series.
The Pfizer shot has been approved for adults and children 12 and older
The Moderna shot has been approved for adults 18 and older
You can get the updated booster shot if it has been at least 2 months since your last covid shot, primary series or the old booster shot.
You still have to complete the original primary series of vaccinations before you can get the updated booster shot.
Keep in mind, it is still recommended that everyone 6 months and older get the original covid vaccine. It’s a 1 or 2-shot series for most of us, but if you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, you’ll get three shots. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure which schedule to follow.
Do I need a booster shot if I’ve already had covid?
Yes, you should still get the new booster shot even if you’ve had covid. This is because we don’t know for sure how long your antibodies will last from a covid infection. This booster shot also covers different variants so it may offer you more protection than antibodies from a covid infection alone. If you’ve recently had covid, the recommendation is that you wait at least 3 months to get the booster shot.
Read more: Give Your Immune System A Fighting Chance
When should I get a booster shot?
The CDC is recommending that everyone over the age of 12 receive the new covid booster as soon as they can. Remember, you’re eligible if:
You’ve completed the primary covid series
It’s been at least 2 months since your last covid shot (primary series or old booster shot)
It’s been at least 3 months since you’ve last tested positive for covid
Where can I get a booster shot?
The new covid booster is available at most pharmacies and health clinics. Some places may require you to make an appointment so they can make sure they have enough vaccines for the day and the staff required to give those shots. Keep in mind it’s also flu season so pharmacists and other healthcare providers are working hard to give both vaccines to as many people as they can. You can also contact your local health department if you have any questions on where the vaccine is available in your area. They may be organizing vaccine clinics around the area with the goal of providing as many vaccines to people as they can.
Can I get the booster shot and my flu shot at the same time?
Yes, you can get the flu shot and the new covid booster at the same time, as long as you’re eligible for both at the time of administration. Some local health departments are even planning joint vaccination clinics to make it easy to get both shots together.
Winter is coming, and so is the annual surge of flu and now, covid. Getting your flu and covid shot not only protects you, but more importantly, it protects the people around you that you love and care about. Keeping up to date on your vaccinations helps to keep your grandma with a weaker immune system out of the hospital, it protects the newborn baby in your life who is too young to be vaccinated, and it can prevent your loved one who is battling cancer from worrying about not being able to get the vaccines themselves. If you can be vaccinated, it’s a wonderful way to unselfishly say “I love you” to all the people around you.
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