April 20, 2023

CDC Allows Additional Bivalent Booster Doses for Seniors and People who are Immunocompromised

The CDC is simplifying COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allowing more flexibility for people at higher risk who want more protection from additional vaccine doses.

As of Wednesday, April 19, 2023, CDC’s new recommendations allow:

  • An additional bivalent vaccine dose for adults age 65 years and older. People are eligible for the additional booster 4 months after their initial bivalent booster.
  • Additional bivalent doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed. People who are immunocompromised are eligible for the first additional dose 2 months after their initial bivalent booster.

The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 and older receive a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have previously completed their (monovalent) primary series. Bivalent boosters are readily available at pharmacies, physicians’ offices, and regular vaccine clinics at the Cambridge Public Health Department. (Register for an upcoming Wednesday clinic at the health department: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cambridge/)

Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received a bivalent vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised. 

For young children, multiple vaccine doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received. Your child’s pediatrician can help you determine the most appropriate vaccine schedule for your child. 

The original (monovalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.

See the CDC website for additional details.