As fall and cold seasons approach, New York State announces latest COVID-19 bivalent booster for eligible people

ALBANY, NY- Autumn is approaching, and so is cold and flu season for us in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Northeast.

With that being said, New York’s Department of Health is advising residents of the latest COVID-19 bivalent booster, which is now available to those eligible.

“The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend individuals get vaccinated and stay up to date with all recommended doses,” officials from the DOH said in a statement.

“Booster doses are free and available statewide. If you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider, your child’s healthcare provider, or vaccine administrator.”

The following New Yorkers are eligible for booster doses:

Bivalent Booster Dose

• New Yorkers 5 years of age and older are eligible for an mRNA bivalent booster dose 2 months after completion of a primary series.
• New Yorkers 6 months to 4 years may be eligible for a booster dose depending on their primary series.

Monovalent Booster Dose (Novavax) for ages 18 years and above

New Yorkers ages 18 years and older are eligible for the Novavax monovalent booster in limited situations. A monovalent Novavax booster dose is authorized to provide a first booster dose to those 18 years+ for whom an FDA-authorized mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine is not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

With cold season drawing nearer, health officials are encouraging folks to start considering their flu vaccines as well.

CDC image.