COVID-19 BIVALENT VACCINE
PEDIATRIC BIVALENT BOOSTER DOSE FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS
The CDC has updated the COVID-19 vaccination guidance to include the following:
- a new recommendation for children ages 6 months to 4 years who have completed a Moderna primary vaccination series to receive 1 bivalent Moderna booster dose at least 2 months after completion of the primary series
- children age 5 years who complete a Moderna primary series may receive either the previously authorized bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose or the newly authorized bivalent Moderna booster dose at least 2 months after completion of the Moderna primary series
- The previously authorized 3 dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series for children ages 6 months to 4 years has been revised to include a monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is administered for the first and second doses, followed by 1 bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the third primary series dose at least 8 weeks after the second monovalent primary series dose.
- A booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group who received a Pfizer-BioNTech 3 dose primary series, including children who previously received a 3 dose monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
PEDIATRIC BIVALENT BOOSTER DOSE FOR 5-11 YEAR OLDS
On October 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to allow for a single bivalent booster dose in younger age groups, at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination. The Moderna bivalent booster is authorized for administration in children 6 years of age and older. The Pfizer bivalent booster is authorized for administration in children 5-11 years of age and is a different product than the Pfizer bivalent booster for individuals 12 years of age and older. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) supports the use of the bivalent booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines—targeting the BA.4/BA.5 Omicron subvariants as well as the original variant.
The bivalent formulations of the vaccines are authorized for use as a single booster dose at least two months following primary or booster vaccination in individuals 5 years of age and older.
The bivalent vaccines, which we will also refer to as “updated boosters,” contain two messenger RNA (mRNA) components of SARS-CoV-2 virus, one of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the other one in common between the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters are designed to give you broad protection against COVID-19, including better protection against the Omicron variant.
What you need to know:
- The authorized bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, or updated boosters, include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.
- The BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant are currently causing most cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this fall and winter. In June, the agency’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted overwhelmingly to include an omicron component in COVID-19 booster vaccines.
- Based on the data supporting each of these authorizations, the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide increased protection against the currently circulating omicron variant. Individuals who receive a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine may experience side effects commonly reported by individuals who receive authorized or approved monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Who is eligible to receive a single booster dose and when:
- Individuals 3 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals 3 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for use as single booster dose in individuals 3 years of age and older.
For additional information on the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, visit https://eua.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/
The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 3 years of age and older.
For additional information on the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, visit https://www.cvdvaccine.com/.
Am I eligible for an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Eligibility for a booster depends on:
- Your age
- When you finished primary vaccination
- When received your most recent booster dose of a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine
If eligible, consider getting a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster.
A single booster dose with an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is designed to provide broad protection against COVID-19 and better protection against COVID-19 caused by the currently circulating Omicron variant.
If you are eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine booster, the updated booster you receive does not need to be from the same manufacturer that made the vaccine you received for your primary vaccination or previous booster.
NOVAVAX COVID-19 VACCINE
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine may be used as another primary series option for adults ages 12 years and older. Novavax is administered as a two dose primary series. Each dose is 0.5 mL administered intramusculary and spaced 3 to 8 weeks apart. Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in the pandemic and provides a more familiar type of COVID-19 vaccine technology for adults. Having multiple types of vaccines offers more options and flexibility for the public, jurisdictions, and vaccine providers.
Protein subunit vaccines package harmless proteins of the COVID-19 virus alongside another ingredient called an adjuvant that helps the immune system respond to the virus in the future. Vaccines using protein subunits have been used for more than 30 years in the United States, beginning with the first licensed hepatitis B vaccine. Other protein subunit vaccines used in the United States today include those to protect against influenza, shingles, meningococcal B and whooping cough (acellular pertussis).
There are currently 13 COVID-19 vaccines available for use in the United States. Neergaard Pharmacy offers all 12 vaccine formulations:
- Moderna Monovalent primary series - for ages 12 years and older
- Moderna Bivalent booster dose - for ages 12 years and older
- Moderna Monovalent primary series - for ages 6 years to 11 years
- Moderna Bivalent booster dose - for ages 6 years to 11 years
- Moderna Monovalent primary series - for ages 3 years to 5 years
- Moderna Bivalent booster dose - for ages 3 years to 5 years
- Pfizer Monovalent primary series - for ages 12 years and older
- Pfizer Bivalent booster dose - for ages 12 years and older
- Pfizer Monovalent primary series - for ages 5 years to 11 years
- Pfizer Bivalent booster dose - for ages 5 years to 11 years
- Pfizer Monovalent primary series - for ages 3 years to 4 years
- Pfizer Bivalent booster dose - for ages 3 years to 4 years
- Novavax - for ages 12 years and older
*THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) RECOMMENDS THE ADMINISTRATION OF BOOSTER DOSES FOR ALL ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS 5 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER*
HETEROLOGOUS OR "MIX AND MATCH" BOOSTER DOSES
The FDA has also authorized the use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
Side effects confirm the vaccine is working with your immune system
►Side effects may include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain or chills and fever
►Remember the vaccine does not contain the virus, so it cannot give you COVID-19
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine at Neergaard Pharmacy?
►We have years of experience safely administering vaccines, such as those for flu, shingles and pneumonia
►We offer easy, online scheduling for your COVID-19 vaccine
►We have been a neighborhood pharmacy in Park Slope, Brooklyn for over 100 years
How is Neergaard Pharmacy prepared to treat potential allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Pharmacist immunizers are trained in the safe administration of COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the FDA, including identifying and treating allergic reactions. The vaccination procedure includes a patient screening checklist to assess the risk of reaction. All patients are monitored for 15 minutes after administration of the vaccine or longer for patients with a history of severe allergic reactions. Pharmacists at Neergaard Pharmacy are equipped with appropriate equipment and medications, such as epinephrine and antihistamines, to assess and treat adverse reactions.
Will both Neergaard locations offer the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. You may schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at both Neergaard 5th Avenue located at 454 5th Avenue and Neergaard 7th Avenue located at 120 7th Avenue.
How do I schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 Vaccine at Neergaard Pharmacy?
You can schedule an appointment at either Neergaard location by clicking the "Schedule a Vaccine Appointment" button below and selecting the location you would like to receive the vaccine.
5th Avenue Vaccine Appointment
7th Avenue Vaccine Appointment