COVID-19 vaccine administration simplified

COVID-19 vaccine administration simplified

By
Mayo Clinic Staff

April 21, 2023

To simplify COVID-19 vaccine administration, the Food and Drug Administration ended the use of the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccines on April 18.

People who are due for the bivalent vaccine can still get that vaccine. A bivalent vaccine is a vaccine with more than one strain of a virus.

Additionally, on April 19, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended to use only bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains). The recommendations affect doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older for both Pfizer and Moderna.

Mayo Clinic is actively working on updating its processes and protocols accordingly, and anticipates having vaccine supply to administer by early May.

Patient education and staff COVID-19 vaccine resources are in the process of being updated.

Scheduling appointments at Mayo Clinic

Early in May, people who wish to schedule an appointment can use Patient Online Services or call their local primary care appointment office.

Health care teams may offer the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccination as part of regularly scheduled appointments, depending on vaccine availability. The Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster will be available at Primary Care vaccination clinics.

You may find it more convenient to get the new booster at another location, since some pharmacies already may have supplies. You can text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a vaccination location near you.