At what age can kids get vaccinated against COVID-19?
At what age can they get the updated bivalent vaccine?
Which vaccines are available for each age group?
6 Months - 5 Years
Kids 6 months and older can get either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Kids under the age of 5 can now also receive broader protection with the bivalent vaccine. At 6 months of age they can start the primary vaccine series with the monovalent vaccine (at doses much lower than the adult dose). They may get their second primary dose of a monovalent vaccine 3-4 weeks later; although waiting 8 weeks between the first 2 vaccinations is OK. Kids under the age of 5 who have received 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine get their 3rd primary vaccination with the bivalent vaccine at least 8 weeks after their second shot. The Moderna bivalent booster is given at least 2 months after the second Moderna shot.
5-12 Year Old’s
Kids 5 years and older who have completed a primary vaccine series have been eligible to receive a bivalent booster at least 2 months after getting their last vaccination. A child who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 can still gain protection now by starting the 2 shot primary vaccine series with either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech monovalent vaccines.
12 Years and Older
In addition to the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, everyone 12 years and older can be vaccinated with the Novavax vaccine.
Under 6 Months
Babies under the age of 6 months can get some protection against COVID-19 through passive vaccination. They can get antibodies against the virus through the umbilical or through breast milk. The antibodies are temporary and levels will decrease over a few months as the baby will not make more on his or her own until they are vaccinated The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the two leading organizations representing specialists in obstetric care, strongly recommends that all pregnant individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Will the updated bivalent vaccines be effective against the emerging variants?
The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech were developed to boost our immunity by broadening our immune responses. The vaccines include the mRNA sequences that are based on mutations found in the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. In many parts of the US the Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 now are the dominant variations of the virus. The BQ invariants are derived from BA.5 so it is expected that the vaccines will retain effectiveness. The data is very limited, small studies of antibody responses have shown mixed results. Some studies have shown significantly enhanced antibody responses after a bivalent booster to the BQ subvariants however not all studies have demonstrated good responses. Antibodies are only part of the immune system and laboratory studies give us only part of the picture. Many experts are optimistic that even if there are diminished antibody responses to the BQ subvariants that T Cell mediated immunity will give us protection against severe disease.
What is the Novavax vaccine?
The Novavax vaccine (Nuvaxovid) is a protein subunit vaccine developed by a biotechnology company (Novavax Inc) based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Novavax vaccine was authorized for use in the United States in July of 2022 to be used as a 2 dose primary series vaccine for adults. In August the authorization was expanded to kids 12 years and older. The vaccine has been used in many other countries since the end of 2021 and is currently given in about 40 countries including Canada and the UK.
How is the Novavax vaccine different?
All vaccines do one basic thing; they work with our immune system to help protect us against harm. A vaccine gives our immune system a chance to prepare for specific infections. There are many ways vaccines can accomplish this goal. The Novavax vaccine does this by presenting fragments of proteins from SARS-CoV-2 to the immune system. This vaccine technology has been utilized for 3 decades. Examples of previous protein subunit vaccines include those that have protected us against hepatitis, pneumonia, meningitis and influenza.
Can you get the Novavax vaccine as a booster?
In October of 2022 the Novavax vaccine was authorized to be used as a booster in the United States and is being used as a booster in many other countries. In the US it is authorized to be used as a first booster dose for adults. It is authorized to be used as a booster for those who cannot take a mRNA booster or otherwise would not choose to get a booster shot. The Novovax booster is to be given at least 6 months after the completion of a primary series of vaccinations.
If you got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, when can you get a booster shot?
A bivalent booster is recommended for everyone who has received the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. You should get a booster at least 2 months after your last vaccination.
Where can I get vaccinated against COVID-19?
You can find a location to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by going to vaccines.gov. On that website click on the “Find COVID-19 Vaccines” button. You will be asked to put in a zip code and you can enter the number of miles you are willing to travel. You can also search for specific vaccines.
Don’t forget to get vaccinated against influenza as well.
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