On April 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced simplified COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Today, the Virginia Health Department (VDH) announced it is immediately implementing the new COVID-19 vaccination guidance that now allows individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness to receive an optional additional dose of the updated (bivalent) mRNA vaccine. Additionally:

• All mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) administered in Virginia will be the updated (bivalent) mRNA vaccines and will be given on a simplified administration schedule.
• Under this simplified schedule, people who have not yet received an updated (bivalent) mRNA vaccine dose are eligible to receive a single bivalent mRNA dose. This includes young children who have completed their primary vaccination series, older children, adolescents, and adults under the age of 65.
• Certain populations may receive two or more updated (bivalent) mRNA doses. This includes young children who haven’t completed their primary series, adults aged 65 years and older, and persons with compromised immunity.

Novavax and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen currently do not have authorized bivalent vaccines and will remain available in their current formulations on their current schedules.

Find a vaccine near you at vaccines.gov. The Fairfax County Health Department is expected to start administering vaccines according to this new guidance early next week. Updates will be shared on the COVID-19 vaccine website. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 is still with us. We continue to encourage vaccination and actions such as staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, knowing when to test, masking, and other healthy habits, especially for those who are vulnerable to severe illness.

If you have questions about the vaccines available to you, please speak with your health care provider or call our call center at 703-267-3511 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).