Participating Avance Care locations are now offering the newest mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (2023-2024 formula) manufactured by Moderna.
FAQs About the Newest Vaccine
Who is it for?
The newest vaccine is available for everyone ages 6 months and older.
What does the vaccine do?
The newest vaccine is expected to prevent people who get the vaccine from getting seriously ill during the winter months while other respiratory illnesses are prevalent.
What strain does the vaccine target?
The vaccines target a subvariant of Omicron, XBB.1.5, that was prevalent from late 2021 to early 2023. The CDC asserts that this vaccine should also work against the variants that are circulating currently, which are related to the XBB strain.
How is this vaccine different from the others?
This vaccine is, just like the others, not expected to prevent people from getting COVID at all, but was created to help prevent serious symptoms and illnesses that could lead to hospitalization or death.
This vaccine is monovalent, meaning it is targeted at preventing serious illness from one strain – the Omicron, XBB.1.5. The COVID virus continues to change and evolve, so vaccinations cannot keep up with every new strain. The good news is, vaccines do hold up against related strains, so you should have some protection against other strains that may develop from XBB.1.5.
Is this the same as a booster?
The FDA is anticipating that the COVID vaccine will be updated annually, similar to the flu shot. Because of this, the language has changed from booster to vaccine.
Can I get this new vaccine at the same time as my flu shot?
Yes! It is considered safe to get both the flu shot and new COVID vaccine at the same time. As the new RSV vaccines, there is not data to support if receiving the RSV vaccine at the same time as the flu shot and COVID vaccine is the best option.
When should I get the newest COVID vaccine?
You will get the most protection from the vaccine in the first three months after receiving the vaccine, and the shot will help boost immunity to the virus within the first two weeks. With COVID cases expected to rise in the winter, it is best to get the vaccine as soon as possible. This will help protect you and your family during the holidays, too.
Who can get the vaccine based and when?
The CDC states:
“Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) is authorized for use as follows:
Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age:
- Unvaccinated individuals: Two doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) are administered. The second dose is administered 1 month after the first.
- Individuals who have received one dose of any Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, including Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent: A single dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) is administered 1 month after the previous dose.
- Individuals who have received two or more doses of any Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, including Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent: A single dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) is administered at least 2 months after the last previous dose.
Individuals 5 years through 11 years of age, regardless of vaccination status:
- A single dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula). If previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine, administer at least 2 months after receipt of the last previous dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
Immunocompromised individuals 6 months through 11 years of age:
- Complete at least a three-dose series with a COVID-19 vaccine, each dose one month apart. At least one dose should be with a COVID-19 vaccine (2023-2024 Formula).”
As the COVID vaccine and information surrounding it is always changing, we urge you to stay up to date with information from WHO and the CDC, or ask your Avance Care Primary Care Provider.
To find out if your Avance Care location is offering the newest COVID vaccine, visit their page on our website.