April 27, 2023
Kirksville, MO 4/27/23 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidelines regarding administration of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine. The recommendations reflect new regulatory actions taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Original COVID-19 vaccines were monovalent, which meant they only addressed a single original strain of the virus. Bivalent vaccine protection has proven more effective against additional variants. Therefore, monovalent vaccines will no longer be administered in the United States.
The new recommendations also reflect research that indicates the waning of vaccine effectiveness over time. To further protect older adults and individuals who are immunocompromised, and to provide protection to those who never receive the monovalent series or boosters, an additional bivalent vaccine has been authorized.
In response to the updated recommendations, the Adair County Health Department is offering a special COVID-19 bivalent vaccine clinic on Tuesday, May 2, at its clinic at 1001 South Jamison Street in Kirksville.
Those eligible for the vaccine under the new guidelines are:
- Adults ages 65 and older who received their first bivalent COVID-19 booster four months ago or earlier;
- Those ages 12 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who received their first bivalent COVID-19 booster four months ago or earlier;
- Anyone ages 12 and older who completed their initial two-dose Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine but have not yet received a bivalent booster; and,
- Anyone ages 12 and older who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine to date.
An appointment is required for Tuesday’s COVID-19 bivalent vaccine clinic. To schedule one, or to determine your eligibility, call the Health Department at 660-665-8491.
