New COVID-19 vaccine booster targets Omicron, now available in Eeyou Istchee

Moderna’s new Omicron-fighting booster vaccine is now available to people 18 and older if they have been previously vaccinated twice (2X) against COVID-19. 

The new booster is an updated version of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine that is tailored to protect against Omicron, its variants, and the original coronavirus. 

• The original vaccine:  effective against previous strains of the COVID-19 virus 
• An updated vaccine:  that targets the Omicron variant, including its subvariants. 

The new Moderna booster increases protection against infection and mild-to-moderate illness caused by the Omicron variant and its subvariants. Other COVID-19 vaccines currently available are still very effective against severe disease and hospitalization. 

• People who are 18 and older, who have completed their baseline vaccination (primary vaccine series).  

• If it’s been 5 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose (or 3 months if you’re immunocompromised or on dialysis). 

• If it’s been 3 months since you had COVID-19 (or 4 weeks after if you are immunocompromised or on dialysis). 

• People who haven’t gotten a booster yet should get one. 

• People who haven’t gotten a booster yet and who are eligible for the Moderna Omicron vaccine should ask for it.  It is currently only available as a booster dose. 

• Children/Youth 5 – 17 can still get a booster dose of other available vaccines.