Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends bivalent COVID-19 boosters for ages 5+

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated bivalent booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 primary vaccine dose or original monovalent booster. This includes individuals who have had more than one original monovalent booster, who are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster. Flu vaccines may be given at the same time as the booster.

The new COVID-19 boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19, as well as the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. Pfizer BioNTech (for ages 5+) and Moderna (for ages 6+) currently offer the authorized COVID-19 vaccine and updated bivalent booster.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are approved and authorized and continue to be covered at no cost-share for UnitedHealthcare customers through the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ­— extended through Jan. 10, 2023.

For more information, please visit the recently updated COVID-19 FAQs.