On Wednesday, April 19, CDC recommended the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for simplified COVID-19 vaccination series for patients ages 6 years and older. They also amended recommendations about additional doses for persons who are immunocompromised and/or older. The CDC statement discusses all recommendations, including about young children.
These recommendations follow FDA’s amendment of the emergency use authorizations for these vaccines. FDA’s authorization simultaneously rescinded the authorization for the monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. See the FDA announcement.
If your health center has not yet participated in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, or wants to renew participation and is not sure how to do that, please use the BPHC Contact Form to let us know. Under the COVID-19 section click "View More" to select the "COVID-19 Vaccine Program" option.
RESOURCES
CDC’s new resource, HHS Vaccination Operational Planning Guide: Spring/Summer 2023 (PDF), can help health centers understand the impact of these changes.
These CDC resources can help your health center plan. Check them for updates over the coming days.
COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
Bring questions and learn more at our next office hours session. Though some information may be geared toward COVID-19 Response Program participants, these office hours are open to all HRSA-supported health centers. We encourage all health centers to register.
Tuesday, April 25 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET Registration page
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