Frequently asked questions
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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5/6/22 - Updated Guidance for J&J vaccine
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is alerting COVID-19 vaccine providers that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday released new guidelines associated with the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine. Citing the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), the FDA now limits the use of the J&J vaccine to the following groups:
- Individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
- Individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the J&J COVID-19 vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
TTS is a condition of rare and potentially life-threatening blood clots in combination with low levels of blood platelets. According to the FDA, symptoms of TTS would show approximately one to two weeks after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. In making the determination to limit the authorized use of the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA considered the availability of other COVID-19 vaccines which provide protection from COVID-19 and have not been shown to present a risk for TTS. However, when other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate for an individual or if that individual chooses to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the FDA has determined that the benefits of the vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 outweigh the risks.
J&J- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
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2/11/22 - COVID-19 Guidance for moderate/severe immunocompromised
- CDC clarified existing guidance to confirm that those who previously received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) should receive a total of 4 doses: a primary series of 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine, plus 1 booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (4th dose).
- People who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should receive a total of 3 doses: 1 J&J dose, followed by 1 additional mRNA dose at least 28 days later, then 1 booster dose at least 2 months after the 2nd (additional) dose. mRNA vaccines are preferred for the booster.
- People who received a 3-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series should receive the booster dose 3 months after the primary series (instead of 5 months after the primary series).
For all CDC COVID-19 vaccine interim clinical considerations updates, please visit CDC Interim COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Recommendations.
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1/6/22 - 3rd pediatric dose for immunocompromised children approved
CDC has authorized:
- Moderately or severely immunocompromised children 5-11 years of age are now recommended to receive an additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second dose. A booster dose is not authorized for children in this age group at this time.
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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
