Talking Points: Updated Bivalent Boosters

Talking Points: Updated bivalent boosters
General messages
• People age 12 and older are now recommended to get an updated bivalent booster dose at least 2 months after their last COVID-19 shot. That means the bivalent booster may be given after a person’s primary series or after their last booster shot.
• The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for people age 12 and older. The updated Moderna booster is authorized for people age 18 and older.
• Everyone who is eligible—including those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised—are recommended to receive 1 dose of the updated vaccine.
• The updated bivalent booster helps protect against the original COVID-19 strain that has been in the vaccines as well as against newer Omicron variants that are circulating.
• Updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination and provide broader protection against newer variants.
• The COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster are safe and help protect people from getting very sick with COVID-19.
• People can get COVID-19 vaccines, including updated boosters, at the same visit as other vaccines, such as flu vaccine.
• Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you should get vaccinated.
• CDC recommends everyone get and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. This means everyone:
o Age 6 months through 4 years should get all COVID-19 primary series doses.
o Age 5 years and older should get all COVID-19 primary series doses, plus the most recent booster dose recommended for them.
Where to get a bivalent booster
• There are several options for where to get a bivalent booster.
o Check with your regular health care provider or local pharmacy to see if appointments are available.
o Minnesotans can make appointments at the state-run vaccination site at the Mall of America now:
o Minnesotans can also make appointments at the state-run vaccination site in Duluth now:
o More information on appointments at state-run vaccination sites in St. Paul Midway, Rochester, and Moorhead will be coming soon.
o Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map to find vaccine providers near you—providers will update their information as appointments are available.
o Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
o Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.
o Watch DCSC for vaccine events coming soon