On September 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of the COVID-19 Omicron updated
boosters (i.e., bivalent boosters) from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from
Moderna for people ages 18 years and older.
Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the original
COVID-19 vaccine composition. This helps the immune system restore protection that may have waned
since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are prevalent and highly transmissible in our
communities at this time.
The Omicron boosters (bivalent) are for those ages 12 years and older who have completed the
primary series with any authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine, and their most recent original
(monovalent) COVID-19 vaccine of any kind was at least 2 months ago.
Moderna COVID-19 Omicron (Bivalent) Boosters:
The Moderna COVID-19 Omicron (bivalent) booster is authorized for use in individuals 18 years of
age and older as a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after either:
• Completion of primary vaccination with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine,
or
• Receipt of the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19
vaccine.
Moderna COVID-19 Omicron (bivalent) booster is supplied as a multidose vial with a dark blue cap
and
gray border label and administered as a 0.5 mL dose.
This product is not diluted prior to use (as with other Moderna COVID-19 vaccine products).
West Virginia Health Advisory Number 204-09-02-2022
This message was directly distributed by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health to local health
departments and professional associations. Receiving entities are responsible for further
disseminating the information as appropriate to the target audience.
Categories of Health Alert messages:
Health Alert: Conveys the highest level of importance. Warrants immediate action or attention.
Health Advisory: Provides important information for a specific incident or situation. May not
require immediate action.
Health Update: Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation. Unlikely to require
immediate action.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Omicron (Bivalent) Boosters:
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Omicron (bivalent) booster is authorized for use in individuals 12
years of age and older as a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after either:
• Completion of primary vaccination with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine,
or
• Receipt of the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19
vaccine.
The Pfizer COVID-19 Omicron (bivalent) booster is currently supplied in a multidose vial with a
gray cap
and label with gray border administered as a 0.3 mL dose. This product is not diluted prior to use.
Other Considerations:
� Storage/Handling
Storage/handling and more can be found in the emergency use authorizations (EUAs).
Pfizer EUA: https://bit.ly/PfizerOmicronEUA
Moderna EUA: https://bit.ly/ModernaOmicronEUA
� Original Boosters – No Longer Authorized for Ages 12+
As a reminder, if your entity offers the original (monovalent) COVID-19 boosters for ages 12 years
and older, halt immediately. However, those original mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna, monovalent)
remain authorized and recommended for use as the primary series.
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There are several terms being used across the national, state, and local networks to refer to the
new boosters. While the clinical considerations provided so far from CDC, the vial labels, and
portions of the EUA refer to them as “Bivalent,” this is a term not easily understood or recognized
by the general public.
Instead, “Omicron Booster” and “Updated Booster” are commonly used and better understood by the
public. It is essential for providers to note that “bivalent”, “Omicron”, and “updated” boosters
are referring to the same products. Consider using more common language (i.e., Omicron, updated)
when discussing options with patients.
�
The CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines is expected to be
updated in the next few days. As the official clinical guidance becomes available, state resources
such as the COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, FAQs on vaccinate.wv.gov, and Just-in-Time
Trainings will be
updated/provided.