Frequently asked questions
04/20/23 Update to mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/Moderna
Authorization
The CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Wednesday, April 19th to discuss these COVID-19 vaccine recommendation changes, and the associated implications and implementation. Although there was no vote at this meeting, ACIP members expressed their support for these recommendations.
These changes include:
- CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
- Monovalent (original) COVID-19 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
- CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
- Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
- For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0419-covid-vaccines.html
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Updated Pfizer EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/167212/download
Updated Moderna EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/167209/download
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10/19/22 - Novavax Boosters (ages 18+)
Authorization
Today, CDC’s Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., signed a decision memo allowing Novavax monovalent COVID-19 boosters for adults.
This action gives people ages 18 years and older the option to receive a Novavax monovalent booster instead of an updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster if they have completed primary series vaccination but have not previously received a COVID-19 booster—and if they cannot or will not receive mRNA vaccines.
Who can receive the Novavax as a Booster?
A first booster dose to the following individuals at least 6 months after completion of primary vaccination with an authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine:
- individuals 18 years of age and older for whom an FDA-authorized mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is not accessible or clinically appropriate,
- individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Some may be unable to receive an mRNA vaccine as a result of an allergy to a component of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or as a result of a history of a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or a lack of availability of an mRNA vaccine. People ages 18 and older may also choose to receive a Novavax monovalent booster if they are unwilling to receive mRNA vaccines, and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s1019-novavax.html
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Updated Novavax EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/159898/download
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10/12/22 - Pfizer Pediatric Bivalent Booster (ages 5-11)
Authorization
Today, CDC’s Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., signed a decision memo expanding the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years. This follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and from Moderna for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years.
What is a Bivalent Booster?
The updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines contain, in equal parts, the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 plus BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Who can receive the new Bivalent Booster?
- The Pfizer Pediatric booster is authorized for use in individuals ages 5-11.
- The Moderna Pediatric booster is authorized for ages 6-17. (**NOTE - we do not stock the Moderna pediatric vaccine.)
Both can be given to people at least two months after the completion of any primary COVID-19 vaccine series, including Novavax and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines, or their most recent COVID-19 booster of any type.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s1012-COVID-19-Vaccines.html
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Updated Pfizer EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/153716/download
Updated Moderna EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
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9/1/22 - Pfizer Bivalent Booster (12+) & Moderna Bivalent Booster (18+)
Authorization
On August 31, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to authorize updated, bivalent formulations of the vaccines for use as a single booster dose. Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued interim clinical considerations, which were endorsed by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on 9/1/22.
What is a Bivalent Booster?
The updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines contain, in equal parts, the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 plus BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Who can receive the new Bivalent Booster?
- The updated Moderna booster is authorized for people 18 years of age and older.
- The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older.
Both can be given to people at least two months after the completion of any primary COVID-19 vaccine series, including Novavax and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines, or their most recent COVID-19 booster of any type.
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Updated Pfizer EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/153716/download
Updated Moderna EUA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
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8/25/22 - Novavax Covid Vaccine now available for ages 12+
CDC approves Novavax for ages 12+:
On 8/22/22- CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., signed a decision memo that Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine be used as another primary series option for adolescents ages 12 through 17.
How it works: Unlike the mRNA and vector vaccines, this is a protein adjuvant (an adjuvant is an ingredient used to strengthen the immune response). While other vaccines trick the body’s cells into creating parts of the virus that can trigger the immune system, the Novavax vaccine takes a different approach. It contains the spike protein of the coronavirus itself, but formulated as a nanoparticle, which cannot cause disease. When the vaccine is injected, this stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cell immune responses. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison#:~:text=How%20it%20works%3A%C2%A0Unlike,and%20T%2Dcell%20immune%20responses.
Novavax- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
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What if I don't have insurance?
No problem! You can still get the vaccine for free. When you arrive for your appointment, you'll simply check the "uninsured" section on our form when you're completing your paperwork.
If I got my first dose of the vaccine at another location, can I get my second dose from you?
Yes. We'd be happy to provide your second dose
Where do I get my Covid-19 vaccine?
PeopleFirst Pharmacy
2501 E Hebron Pkwy
Carrollton, TX 75010
Make sure you've created your appointment above and received confirmation of your appointment.
Have additional questions?
Email us at covid19@trinityapothecary.com
