AMA statement on second COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster dose

American Medical Association (AMA)

4/19/2023

Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D.

Board Chair, American Medical Association 

 “Now that a second bivalent booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines is available to adults 65 years of age and older as well as people who are immunocompromised and at high-risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, the AMA encourages everyone who is eligible to get their second booster dose.

“While data demonstrates that the bivalent booster doses are highly effective, we know that immunity wanes over time. The bivalent booster doses were first authorized in September 2022 and available evidence now supports making an additional dose available to those at highest risk. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a second dose of the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for individuals 65 years of age and older four months after receiving their initial bivalent booster dose and at least two months after the initial bivalent dose for immunocompromised individuals. Additional doses of the vaccine will be available to immunocompromised patients at the discretion of health professionals. To date, only 16.7% of the population has received a bivalent booster dose. We urge everyone to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses, to protect themselves and their loved ones from severe complications, hospitalization, and death. Anyone with questions about the vaccines should speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org and the CDC’s website.”