Public health departments across Northeast Georgia are now offering the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shots. The new booster is formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant, health officials say. The vaccine contains the genetic recipes for the original strain of COVID-19 plus the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
District 2 Public Health says it’s offering the shots to those 12 years and older who have completed their initial two-dose vaccine series. People should wait at least two months after completing their initial vaccination or their last booster shot before getting the bivalent booster. At this time, the bivalent vaccine is considered only a booster. It is not to be used as the initial two-dose COVID vaccine.
Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend the Pfizer bivalent booster for individuals 12 and older. They recommend the Moderna bivalent booster for adults aged 18 and older.
The monovalent mRNA CVOID-19 vaccines will still be administered for the primary series of vaccines and as a booster for children under 12.
Georgia is currently seeing an average of 3,000 cases of COVID reported a week. More than 89% of newly reported COVID cases are caused by the BA.5 variant. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID continue to decrease in the state.
In addition to vaccinations and boosters, basic prevention measures should also be followed to help prevent the further spread of COVID. Public health officials continue to encourage people to wear masks, physically distance and wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
For more information on vaccination and boosters, visit https://itsthatsimplega.ga.gov/.
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