COVID Vaccine Information
5/2/23 The CDC has released a new set of guidelines for COVID vaccination. See below for a brief overview. Visit the website for complete information.
The virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. The different versions of the virus that have developed over time are called variants. The first COVID-19 vaccines are called “monovalent” because they were designed to protect against the original variant of virus that causes COVID-19. However, two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed updated COVID-19 vaccines. The updated vaccines are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the newer variants, such as Omicron variants. The newer bivalent vaccines provide greater protection from COVID- 19 than the original monovalent vaccines.
Recommendation for Everyone Aged 6 Years and Older
- Get 1 updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine
- Everyone 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they’ve received any original COVID-19 vaccines.
Recommendations for People Who May Get Additional Updated COVID-19 Boosters
Some people may get additional COVID-19 boosters:
- People aged 65 years and older may get 1 additional updated COVID-19 booster dose 4 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get 1 additional updated COVID-19 booster dose 2 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about additional updated booster doses.
When Are You Up to Date?
1) Everyone aged 6 years and older
- You are up to date when you get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
2) Children aged 6 months—5 years who got the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
You are up to date if you are:
- Aged 6 Months—4 years and you get 3 COVID-19 vaccine doses, including at least 1 updated COVID-19 dose.
- Aged 5 years and you get at least 1 updated COVID-19 vaccine dose.
3) Children aged 6 months—5 years who got the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
- You are up to date when you get 2 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses, including at least 1 updated COVID-19 vaccine dose.
4) People who are unable or choose not to get a recommended mRNA vaccine
- You are up to date when you get the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine doses approved for your age group.
Anyone 6 months of age and older is eligible for a vaccine.
A list of local providers and eligible recipients is linked here. Please consult your pediatrician with any questions about getting your child vaccinated.
- CDC information on children and vaccines.
- MDPH information on children and vaccines (including where to find a vaccination site)
Health officials urge all individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and anyone aged 5+ is recommended to get a booster if eligible. Anyone aged 50+ is recommended to get a 2nd booster.
Visit the State website for up-to-date information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Find updated vaccine appointments in Massachusetts at VaxFinder.mass.gov or contact your health care provider.