Virtual Fall Summit Encore 2023-Update on COVID-19 Vaccines

Update on COVID-19 Vaccines - Dr. O'Donnell
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This document provides an update on COVID-19 vaccines for 2023, including their use, timing, and co-administration. The recommended vaccines for the 2023-2024 season are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax. It is recommended that everyone 5 years and older receive one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for protection against serious illness. Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals may receive additional doses. <br /><br />The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are monovalent vaccines targeting the XBB subvariants of Omicron. Previously-vaccinated individuals 12 years and older should receive one dose, while those who have never been vaccinated should also receive one dose. The Novavax vaccine is also monovalent and targets the XBB subvariant of Omicron. Previously-vaccinated individuals 12 years and older should receive one dose, while those who have never been vaccinated should receive two doses, with the second dose given three weeks after the first.<br /><br />The updated vaccines have been shown to protect against the XBB subvariants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86. The vaccines are considered a "good match" for circulating COVID-19 variants. The previous bivalent vaccines included spike proteins from the original virus and BA.4 and BA.5, but the inclusion of the original strain may have diminished the vaccine's ability to produce antibodies to BA.4 and BA.5 due to "immune imprinting."<br /><br />Common side effects of the vaccines include fever, fatigue, headache, chills, and pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Patients who did not experience side effects should not worry that the vaccine did not work. The definition of being fully vaccinated in 2023-2024 varies depending on the vaccine history and timing. <br /><br />Special populations, such as those with immunocompromising conditions, pregnancy, lactation, myocarditis history, Guillain-Barre syndrome, allergies, and long COVID or MIS-A, are also addressed in the document. It provides guidance on vaccination for these populations, emphasizing the safety and benefits of vaccination.<br /><br />Additionally, the document includes information on allergies and COVID-19 vaccination, management of vaccine-exempt healthcare personnel, preparing the workforce for the winter respiratory virus season, and co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines.
Keywords
COVID-19 vaccines
2023 update
vaccine use
timing
co-administration
Pfizer-BioNTech
Moderna
Novavax
vaccine recommendations
vaccine doses