The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines.
Changes include:
- Allowing an additional bivalent dose for those 65 years and older or immunocompromised
- No longer recommending monovalent – or earlier – vaccines in the United States
- Recommending everyone 6 years or older to receive the updated bivalent vaccine, regardless of completion of previous monovalent series
- Individuals 6 years and older who have already received the updated bivalent vaccine do not need to take further action unless they are immunocompromised or older than 65
- Multiple doses may continue to be recommended for young children depending on age and vaccines
Dr. Angela Branche, associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, has a specialty in infectious disease and said the bivalent vaccine is the best form of protection against the virus.
“That original vaccine did really well against alpha and against delta, but it didn’t do as well against omicron,” said Branche.
She said the speed of the development of COVID vaccines was “remarkable” but too fast for efficacy.
“It builds on decades of work, studying coronaviruses and trying to develop vaccines for viruses,” said Branche. “When you combine that collective knowledge and you all have one goal, you’re going to work together on that. Then you don’t have to be as laborious and you don’t have to repeat things that have already been done.”
Branche said the goal is to see COVID reach endemic levels, similar to the flu.
At this time, Branche recommends people continue taking precautions necessary to prevent the spread of the virus, including getting fully vaccinated and staying home when sick.