State health officials say updated bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer are expected to be available soon in Alaska, following emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alaska vaccine providers have ordered more than 38,000 doses of the updated bivalent boosters, with deliveries anticipated in early September.
The Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters target two strains of COVID-19, the original strain of the virus and two omicron subvariants, BS.4 and BA.5, currently the most widespread subvariants.
Individuals aged 12 years and older are eligible if they have completed a primary series and it has been at least two months since either their primary or a booster dose. As of Aug. 31, the original monovalent booster is not available to people aged 12 years and older.
The Pfizer bivalent booster is currently authorized for people aged 12 years and older, while Moderna’s is currently authorized for those ages 18 years and older.
Alaska Department of Health officials said people over 18 may choose to receive either the Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster, regardless of which product they received previously.
