September 12, 2022 — A new COVID booster for the fast-spreading strain of Omicron will be launched this week, CDC recommends for 12-year-olds and The above Americans perform these so-called bivalent mRNA injections.
Based on information provided by the CDC and Dr. Keri Althoff and Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the following are information about Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech manufacturing FAQs of Vaccines for Epidemiologists.
Q: Who is eligible for the new Bivalent Enhancer?
A: CDC approved the Upgraded Pfizer/BioNTech injections and a Moderna booster for Americans 18 and older if they received a primary vaccine series or a booster vaccine at least 2 months ago.
The booster vaccine has been redesigned to protect against the major BA.4 and BA.5 strains. The Biden administration is making it free through pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and state health departments Provides 160 million strengthening needles.
Q: What about children under the age of 12?
A: The new booster is not available for 12 children under the age of Additional testing and trials are needed to ensure safety and efficacy. But officials are recommending that children 5 and older receive a primary vaccine series, with a booster shot. Children 6 months to under 5 years are not yet eligible for boosters.
Pfizer said it hopes to apply for FDA authorization in October for children ages 5 to 11.
Q: How is the new bivalent booster different from previous lenses?
A: The new vaccine is used with the previous Moderna and Pfizer /BioNTech Vaccine and Booster Same mRNA technology but upgraded to target newer Omicron strains. These shots use mRNA created in the lab to teach our cells to produce a specific protein that triggers an immune system response and makes antibodies that help protect us from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID .
The formulation of the new vaccine contains the so-called “spike protein” of the original (ancestral) strain of the virus and the more transmissible Omicron strains (BA.4, BA.5). Once your body produces these proteins, your immune system kicks in and responds.
It is also possible – but not yet determined – that new bivalent enhancers will provide protection against the newer but less common strains called BA.4.6 and BA.2.75.
Q: Are there any new risks or side effects of these boosters?
Answer: Health professionals do not want to see any Noting the content of previous mRNA vaccines, the vast majority of recipients experienced only mild problems, such as redness, soreness and fatigue after the injection.
Q: Do I need one of the new shots if I have already had a booster or have COVID?
Yes. You should get the bivalent Omicron vaccine even if you have been infected with COVID in the past year and/or received a previous series of primary vaccines and boosters.
Doing so will give you broader immunity to COVID and also help limit the emergence of other variants. The more Americans with high immunity, the better; it reduces the likelihood of other variants emerging that evade immunity provided by vaccines and COVID infection.
Q: How long should I wait to get a new booster since my last shot?
Answer: Bivalent booster in the following cases Most effective given after a period of time has elapsed between your last shot and your new one. A minimum waiting period of 2 to 3 months is required, but some evidence suggests that extending it to 4 to 6 months may be a good time.
To determine when you should get a new booster, check the CDC’s latest COVID-19 Vaccine Included Booster website.
Q: What if I have had COVID recently?
Answer: Waiting period after COVID infection. But if you’ve had the virus in the past 8 weeks, you may need to wait 8 weeks before receiving the bivalent booster to allow your immune system to get more benefit from the injection.
Q: If I have never had the original vaccine, do I need to get these vaccines first?
Answer: Yes. The mRNA dose of the bivalent vaccine is lower than the vaccine used in the main series of vaccines launched in late 2020. The bivalent vaccine is authorized as a booster dose, not the main vaccine series dose.
Q: Will the Omicron-specific boosters completely replace other boosters?
Answer: Yes. New booster injections for the original strain and Omicron sub-variants are now the only boosters available for those 12 years of age and older. The FDA no longer authorizes previous booster doses for people in approved age groups.
Q: What if I receive a non-mRNA vaccine manufactured by Novavax or Johnson & Johnson? Should I still get mRNA enhancers?
A: You can mix and match COVID vaccines, and You are eligible for a bivalent booster 8 weeks after completing the main COVID vaccination series – whether it’s two doses of mRNA or Novavax, or one dose of J&J.
Q: How does the new booster work?
A: Scientists do not yet have complete efficacy data from bivalent vaccines. But because the new boosters contain mRNA from Omicron and the original strain, they are thought to offer greater overall protection against COVID.
This is supported by cellular level data showing that bivalent vaccines increase neutralizing antibodies to BA.4/BA.5 strains. Scientists see this type of research as an alternative to clinical trials. But officials will study the effectiveness of the new boosters, examining how well they have reduced hospitalizations and deaths.
Q: How long does the booster last for ‘protection last?
A: Studies show vaccine effectiveness eventually diminishes , which is why we have boosters. Scientists will monitor the duration of protection from the bivalent enhancer by studying antibody levels and assessing severe COVID disease throughout the fall and winter.
Q: Can I get a flu shot and a COVID booster at the same time?
Answer: Yes. In fact, getting a flu shot this year is important because some experts believe we may see overlapping COVID-influenza surges this fall — a phenomenon some have dubbed “twindemic.” It’s especially important to get a flu shot and a COVID booster (if possible) at the same time if you’re in a high-risk group.
People who are prone to severe complications from COVID, such as older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic health conditions – are also particularly susceptible to severe complications from the flu disease.
Q: Will there be a new booster that means I can stop wearing a mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowded indoor spaces, and take Other precautions to avoid COVID?
A: No. It is still a good idea to wear a mask, keep your distance from others, avoid indoor spaces with people whose vaccine status is unknown, and take other precautions against COVID.
Although new assistance Pushers are the primary consideration, but it’s best to use the other tools in your toolbox as well, especially if you’re in contact with someone who is older, has a suppressed immune system, and has a chronic disease that puts them at a higher risk of COVID.
REMEMBER: Community infection risk remains high across the country today, with approximately 67,400 new cases and nearly 320 reported deaths per day in the U.S., according to the latest CDC report .
