MEDICAL ADVISORY: COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine for 12+

Issued by: M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting)

Date: October 18, 2022

On October 7, 2022, Health Canada authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty bivalent (30 mcg) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for use as a booster dose in people 12 years of age and older. This is the second bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in Canada and one now authorized for children 12-17 years of age.

Starting Oct. 17, all individuals 12+ are eligible and recommended to receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose, which strengthens protection against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not to be used as part of a primary series.

Booster dose(s) are recommended six months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 infection, but a minimum 84-day interval may be considered.

• Can be given at the same time as, or anytime before or after, other vaccines (including influenza vaccine)
• Eligible individuals can receive one bivalent booster dose this fall, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received
• Eligible individuals who are not able or nor willing to receive a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be offered a monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) also supports the off-label use of Novavax Nuvaxovid as a booster dose for those 18 years of age and older if a person is unwilling or unable to receive an mRNA booster dose

Health Care Provider Action

• Recommend all eligible patients in your practice to receive the bivalent booster dose
• Protect your eligible staff and patients by offering COVID-19 vaccination in your office

How to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine in Your Practice

• Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Program webpage or email HCPengagement@niagararegion.ca with any questions
  • Once your practice has joined the COVID-19 vaccine administration program, you can place an order for vaccine using the new COVID-19 Vaccine Order Form

More Information

• See Getting Vaccinated and Staying Up to Date for personalized recommendations by group
• NACI: Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in Canada
• Ministry of Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance