REGIONAL- New COVID-19 boosters targeting the currently prevalent Omicron variants BA.5 and BA.4 were approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control last week and should be widely available in Minnesota within the next two weeks.
“This variant-specific formula will play an important role in helping keep Minnesotans safe this fall – especially when paired with testing and therapeutics,” Gov. Tim Walz said last Friday.
The state vaccination site at the Mall of America was scheduled to begin administering the new boosters on Wednesday, while state sites at the DECC in Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Paul Midway will begin providing the shots this coming week, all by appointment.
A press release from the Governor’s Office also said community health centers and other private providers are expected to begin taking appointments for the boosters this week as the vaccines are distributed throughout the state.
As with past vaccinations and boosters, the new shots are free, regardless of insurance status.
While a few health professionals have voiced concerns about distributing the boosters before they have been fully tested in humans, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky expressed confidence in them.
“This recommendation followed a comprehensive scientific evaluation and robust scientific discussion,” she said on Sept. 1 when announcing CDC’s approval. “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.”
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm reinforced Walensky’s comments.
“The bivalent boosters were shown to be safe and effective, and they will be a key tool in helping provide better protection against variants that are currently spreading,” Malcolm said. “Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines is a crucial part of protecting our state in the months ahead.”
Cases caused by the highly contagious BA.5 variant represent 88.6 percent of cases currently reported in the U.S., and health officials are hopeful that the new boosters could stave off a possible fall spike as schools begin and more activities return indoors, increasing the risk of infection.
The Pfizer version of the booster was approved for ages 12 and up, while the Moderna version was approved for those 18 and older. Parents of kids from 12-17 who were initially vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine can choose to have their children boosted with the Pfizer boosters, as the CDC has previously said that once the initial vaccinations have been administered boosters can be a different brand. Some research has shown that mixing vaccination and booster brands may result in slightly higher immunity.
Both boosters can be given two months after completion of a primary vaccine series or administration of a previous booster shot. However, the maximum benefit from the bivalent boosters may be greater if they follow four months after a prior booster when the effectiveness that shot begins to wane significantly.
The new variant-specific boosters can only be taken once, according to the CDC’s guidance. Everyone ages five and over are now only eligible for one booster dose, with those ages 12 and over eligible for the new boosters.
For people who have a current or past COVID infection, the CDC recommends:
 Deferring any vaccination or booster at least until recovery from symptomatic illness.
 People may consider delaying any vaccination or booster by three months from COVID symptom onset or positive test, as COVID infection will provide a temporary boost in immunity.
It’s all in the uptake
The majority of Minnesotans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 haven’t kept up with their recommended booster shots. Only 32 percent are up to date on all of their shots. The effectiveness of the new vaccines in preventing a possible fall surge depends on how many people get the new boosters.
Many people have delayed getting a second recommended booster because they wanted to wait for the rollout of the new variant-specific boosters, and health officials expect at least a moderate jump in booster administration in the short term now that the new boosters are available.
University of Minnesota epidemiologist Michal Osterholm expressed concern in a Sept. 1 podcast that American attitudes about the COVID-19 pandemic at this point could thwart the possible benefits that come from the new boosters.
“Right now, we know that having two booster doses or four total doses of vaccine can be a significant protection against serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths. And yet, if you look at those over age 50, only 11 percent of the U.S. population has received a fourth dose of vaccine,” Osterholm said. “Vaccine uptake is very low to almost non-existent in some populations, and the general public is clearly unconcerned about what’s happening right now. I understand where the human spirit wants to be right now, but this virus doesn’t care about that.”
Noting that the federal government has discontinued its distribution of free COVID tests, Osterholm said, “With all these factors taken into account, we are not set up for success. Just because the majority of people are done with this virus does not mean the virus is done with us.”
Malcolm said that this is a good time for families to reassess their vaccination status.
“I would also encourage eligible Minnesotans who are seeking this new booster to take this opportunity to ensure your whole family is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations so you have the best protection possible as school starts and before end-of-year holidays,” she said.
Those interested in the new boosters should contact their primary health care provider or a local pharmacy, or use the state’s online Vaccine Locator to find providers in your area. Minnesotans can still order up to eight free COVID rapid tests from the state’s free test distribution program.