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Virginia residents are now able to schedule appointments with their healthcare providers to receive the new, free COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccinations, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

The new updated boosters are targeted specifically at the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant that initially emerged in the United States in November 2021.

“The elderly and those with significant chronic disease remain at the highest risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19,” State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH, said. “Being vaccinated and boosted significantly reduces this risk.”

On Aug. 31, the Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization to the two vaccines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of independent scientific advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, met Sept. 1 and voted to recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech updated bivalent vaccine for individuals aged 12 years and older and the Moderna updated bivalent vaccine for persons aged 18 years and older at least two months after completion of a primary series or booster dose. The CDC director endorsed the ACIP recommendations on Sept. 1.

The state’s 35 local health districts have pre-ordered 100,800 Pfizer-BioNTech vials and 40,900 Moderna vials through the Virginia Department of Health. Pre-ordered vaccine was anticipated to arrive at local health department offices and partner providers by Sept. 6. Pharmacies preordered vaccines through their federal partnership as well.

People with questions about the vaccine and their individual situations are advised to contact their healthcare providers.

To find free vaccination opportunities near you, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.