July 20, 2023
Do I still really need a COVID vaccine?
As we see mask mandates lifting and a return to our new normal, you might be wondering:
“Isn’t COVID over? Why are we still talking about vaccines?”
Or maybe you’re young, healthy, and thinking:
“I don’t need to worry about COVID. I’ll take my chances.”
Or maybe you’ve had all of your COVID vaccines and boosters but you’re curious:
“Am I up to date? Do I need another vaccine?”
Although the Public Health Emergency ended on May 11th, 2023, COVID still exists and remains a threat, especially to high-risk individuals (adults over 50, immunocompromised people, and people with underlying health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, etc.).
Even healthy people can become sick, but the greater concern is that they may spread the virus to a high-risk person who doesn’t have the same ability to fight off the disease. By getting vaccinated, we’re protecting not only ourselves but also those around us.
Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to combat the virus; however, with the ever-changing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, it can be tricky to decipher if you’re truly up-to-date. Let’s demystify the CDC’s recommendations below!
Before we jump in, let’s cover some background information:
Who provides the vaccine recommendations?
Vaccine recommendations are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is a group of health experts who provide information and advice to healthcare providers, the government, and the public about the prevention and treatment of diseases.
What vaccines are available?
There are currently 3 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. They include:
- Pfizer-BioNTech – Bivalent, mRNA vaccine
- Moderna – Bivalent, mRNA vaccine
- Novavax – Monovalent, protein subunit vaccine
What are monovalent and bivalent vaccines?
Monovalent and bivalent refer to the number of virus strains the vaccine was formulated to protect against (mono = one, bi = two). The monovalent vaccine was designed based on the original SARS-CoV-2 virus whereas the bivalent vaccine covers both the original virus and the Omicron variant. Only bivalent vaccines are available at this time.
Although other variants have come out since the vaccines have been developed, the vaccines still provide a degree of protection against all strains of COVID.
All right, let’s demystify the CDC’s recommendations on vaccination!
What does it mean to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines?
It depends on your age.
For ages 6 years and older:
You are up to date when you get 1 bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
Whether you’re previously unvaccinated or you’ve received COVID vaccines, all you need to be fully vaccinated is 1 bivalent dose.
For ages 6 months – 5 years who got the Moderna vaccine:
You are up to date when you get 2 Moderna vaccine doses, including at least 1 bivalent vaccine dose.
If your first 2 Moderna vaccines were all monovalent, then you’ll need a bivalent dose.
For ages 6 months – 4 years who got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine:
You are up to date when you get 3 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses, including at least 1 bivalent vaccine dose.
If your first 3 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were all monovalent, then you’ll need a bivalent dose.
For ages 5 years who got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine:
You are up to date when you get at least 1 bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine dose.
For immunocompromised patients:
Check with your healthcare provider for guidance on your vaccines.
What about additional booster doses?
If you’re 65 or older, you may get 1 additional bivalent dose 4 or more months after your first bivalent dose.
If you’re immunocompromised, you may get 1 additional bivalent dose 2 or more months after your first bivalent dose.
Need to get vaccinated?
Check out vaccines.gov for COVID-19 vaccination locations near you! Otherwise, call your local pharmacy to check on vaccine inventory and schedule an appointment.
Mixing and matching vaccine products
For kids 6 months to 5 years old, the CDC recommends sticking with the same vaccine manufacturer for all doses.
For anyone 6 years old and up, you can choose either bivalent vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).
So, there you have it!
The COVID-19 vaccine recommendations can seem like a lot to take in, but Fort Healthcare is here to help. You can reach us with your COVID-related questions at our triage line at (920) 648-7696. Visit our Vaccine Updates page for information on appointments, testing, and more.
We can all contribute to keeping COVID-19 under control by staying informed, following the guidance of local health authorities, and getting vaccinated. And by taking these steps, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. Together we can make a difference!
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Vaccines: Stay Up to Date. Updated May 12, 2023. Accessed May 14, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Vaccines: Frequently Asked Questions. Updated May 15, 2023. Accessed May 27, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for All Americans Ages 5 and Up [press release]. Published April 19, 2023. Accessed April 30, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0419-covid-vaccines.html