Photo by Maksim Goncharenok on Pexels
By Tanya Terry
Since state health officials recently announced that The Food and Drug Administration now recommends bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines be used for all doses that are administered to individuals six months of age and older, the Courier is reminding readers these vaccines are available locally.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services made the announcement on its website on Monday, May 1.
The May 1 press release reads: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended emergency use authorizations to recommend bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines be used for all doses administered to those 6 months of age and older. Monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for use in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices supports these recommendations.
Monovalent vaccines are no longer recommended in the United States.
According to MDHHS, the original COVID-19 vaccines for most primary and original boosters were monovalent and were created from the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19. The updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are bivalent – meaning they are created with two strains of the virus and include the newer omicron variant strains. The bivalent vaccine is the only type of COVID-19 vaccine created to protect against the most dominant strains circulating in the U.S.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) chief medical executive, stated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines offer critical protection from severe illness and hospitalizations.
“Updating vaccines is a normal part of how we treat and fight diseases like COVID-19,” Bagdasarian added “We encourage all residents to stay up to date on all vaccines, including the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and boosters.”
.Those who are eligible to receive a dose of the bivalent vaccine include individuals who received the monovalent COVID-19 vaccine and haven’t already received a dose of the bivalent vaccine.
Adults 65 years and older and immunocompromised individuals are also eligible to receive an updated dose of bivalent vaccine at this time.
Genesee County Health Department’s upcoming May 2023 Vaccine Clinic schedule is as follows.
10 a.m. -12 p.m. Wednesday, May 10
Central Church of the Nazarene
12-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 16
Our Lady of Guadalupe
3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Shiloh Missionary Baptist
10 a.m.-12 p.m Wednesday, May 24
Central Church of the Nazarene
12 p.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Additional childhood and adult vaccines are now available during COVID-19 clinics by calling (810) 237-4588.
Pharmacies and doctor’s offices are also among the places continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccines, flu vaccines and other vaccines. Find other locations offering vaccines by visiting vaccines.gov, then entering your zipcode.
.Vaccinations for the Homebound – If you, or someone you know, is unable to leave their home due to health conditions and would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccine please complete a registration survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/homeboundcovid19vaccine
