When can I get the 2023 COVID vaccine?
Is the fall 2023 COVID vaccine available?
The FDA approved and authorized for emergency use the monovalent COVID-19 vaccines for 2023 - 2024 on September 11, 2023. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines are available and more closely target currently circulating variants. Vaccines are expected to be available in pharmacies by mid-September. Call your pharmacy to determine availability.
The updated mRNA vaccines are approved for individuals 12 years of age and older and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, a non-mRNA vaccine, is expected to be reviewed by the FDA in early fall as well.
The latest mRNA vaccines are monovalent, meaning they were developed to target one single variant, Omicron XBB.1.5. According to the FDA, the updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against the COVID-19 virus from the currently circulating variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86.
The updated mRNA vaccines are manufactured using a similar process as the previous COVID mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.
Due to emergence of differences in the variants over time, the FDA expects that the composition of COVID-19 vaccines may need to be updated annually, as is done for the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine.
Who can get the COVID vaccines for 2023 - 2024?
- Individuals 5 years of age and older regardless of previous vaccination may receive a single dose of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 may receive one OR two doses of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received).
- Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age may receive three doses of the updated authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or two doses of the updated authorized Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
Can I still get the bivalent COVID vaccine?
No, the bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use by the FDA in the U.S. The 2023 - 2024 formulations targeting the XBB.1.5 variant are the currently approved or authorized vaccines.
Related COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (2023-2024 Formula)
- Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (2023-2024 Formula)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)
References
- FDA Takes Action on Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants. FDA. Sept 11, 2023 at https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently-circulating
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