Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Keri Barclay
Following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the CDC recommends the use of updated mRNA COVID-19 boosters that include bivalent strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in individuals ages 12 and older – specifically, Moderna’s booster for those 18 years and older, and Pfizer BioNTech’s booster for those 12 years and older. These actions followed emergency use authorization of these boosters from the FDA. This authorization also revoked use of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 booster doses for individuals 12 years of age and older. DHSS is expected to provide standing orders that will be available on their website.
These changes will prevent hospitals from administering on-hand monovalent boosters to patients awaiting discharge to LTCFs that require residents to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, hospitals should consider ordering boosters now through the DHSS portal for delivery expected around Monday, Sept. 12. Hospitals that have or will receive preordered bivalent boosters over the next several days should consider prioritizing their initial allocation for LTC discharges.