FDA deauthorizes monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, provides authorization for bivalent vaccines

QUINCY — The monovalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (both Pfizer and Moderna) are no longer available to use in the United States, according to a press release from the Adams County Health Department.

The Food and Drug Administration recently deauthorized the monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and provided authorization for bivalent vaccines for additional uses. This will simplify the vaccination schedules by authorizing the current bivalent vaccines to be used for all doses administered to individuals six months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations.

The newest data available suggests people who have received only monovalent vaccines, and not a bivalent vaccine, have very low immunity to the newest strains of the COVID-19 virus that is currently circulating. People who haven’t received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to do so to maintain the best immune response.

The following COVID-19 vaccine recommendation changes include:

• CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
• Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
• CDC recommends everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
• People ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
• For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine and which vaccines were previously received.

The Adams County Health Department immunization clinic is open on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Pike County Health Department immunization clinic is open on a walk-in basis from 1-4 p.m. Monday and Thursday. People who want to receive a vaccine should bring insurance cards and a photo ID.