OCTOBER 25, 2022 – Bivalent boosters work twice as hard against COVID. “Bivalent” means the vaccine contains two antigens – one from the original strain of coronavirus, and one from Omicron variants. (An “antigen” is a substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against a virus.)
Bivalent boosters began on Sept. 2. Any booster you had before then was not the new formulation designed to fight Omicron variants.
NH+C has bivalent boosters available for everyone age 5 and older.
Six reasons to get your bivalent booster now:
1. Bullseye. Most cases of COVID now are Omicron variants. Bivalent boosters are specially designed to protect against them. “It’s more targeted to the strains of COVID in the community now, which are much more spreadable than older versions of COVID,” says pediatrician Ben Flannery, MD.
2. Cold weather. More time indoors = more virus spread. You want your immunity strong during cold weather when viruses circulate the most . . . including colds, flu, COVID. “Now is the best time to get a booster,” says Katherine Helgen, MD. “In general, you shouldn’t wait to get vaccines, because you need the protection now, and then you’ll have that protection in the coming months, too.”
3. Refill your tank. Boosters help restore protection that has waned since your earlier vaccination. Get a bivalent booster at least 2 months after your last dose of vaccine.
4. Kids + grownups benefit. Bivalent boosters are recommended for everyone age 5 and older. (Kids 5-11 get a smaller dose.)
5. Holidays. Yay for celebrating with family and friends! Maximize your immunity now so you don’t catch (or spread) COVID when you gather together.
6. Help hospitals. Bivalent boosters can reduce your risk of getting very sick, or needing to be hospitalized. That helps keep hospital staff (and beds) ready for people with medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Schedule your bivalent booster at our Northfield Clinic: 507-646-8019
The state's Vaccine Connector includes options for boosters, searchable by location.
Local options include pharmacies, Rice County Public Health and Dakota County Public Health.