RHHD TO OFFER BIVALENT COVID-19 BOOSTER BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 14TH
Sept 2, 2022- With this week’s FDA authorization and CDC recommendation, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will start offering the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters at our September 14th COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Everyone aged 12 and older is eligible for the new Pfizer booster, and everyone aged 18 and older is eligible for the new Moderna booster. Local pharmacies and primary care physicians across the region may offer booster appointments in the coming days.
The previous COVID-19 vaccines were made to protect against the original variant of COVID-19. Over time, COVID-19 has mutated to create several new variants, some of which are better at escaping immunity from vaccines and previous infections. Bivalent vaccines combine multiple variants of COVID-19 to offer broader protection against these recent variants—specifically, these new boosters will combine components of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 with the current vaccine.
“Similar to how we update the flu vaccine each year to provide the most protection possible, these tweaks to our existing COVID-19 vaccines will give our communities a safe, effective tool to stay healthy this fall.” said Dr. Melissa Viray, Deputy Director of RHHD.
Additionally, as of August 31st, the FDA no longer authorizes the previous COVID-19 boosters (monovalent boosters) for those aged 12 and over. All boosters given moving forward to individuals aged 12 and older will be the new, bivalent formulation. As a result, RHHD will not offer any boosters doses at our September 7 and September 8 clinics as we transition our operations to the new bivalent boosters. People who walk-up or book appointments for boosters at these two clinics will be asked to reschedule for a future date.
“The new bivalent COVID-19 boosters are yet another important tool in our growing COVID-19 toolbox. We’ve seen a bump in COVID-19 cases each fall as temperatures cool and people start to congregate inside, and these new boosters will provide an additional layer of protection.” said Dr. Elaine Perry, Director of RHHD.