Abstract
  • The Moderna bivalent vaccine can be used as an alternative vaccine for any booster dose in people aged 18 years or older, according to the current ATAGI recommendations for booster doses.
  • ATAGI have made no changes to the current booster recommendations and is not advising any extra booster doses beyond the second booster dose (fourth dose) in selected populations.
  • Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine should be given at least 3 months after the most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Eligible individuals can receive Moderna bivalent or the original vaccines (various brands) whichever is available to them. Both bivalent and original vaccines result in an improvement in the immune response against BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 Omicron subvariants, with the Moderna bivalent vaccine showing a small incremental benefit over the original vaccine for Omicron neutralisation.
  • Coadministration of Moderna bivalent vaccine with other non-COVID vaccines is acceptable, as per current ATAGI clinical guidance.
  • The Moderna bivalent vaccine is not recommended for the primary course of vaccination (first two doses in most people or first three doses in severely immunocompromised people).
  • ATAGI does not currently recommend use of the Moderna bivalent vaccine as a booster in anyone under 18 years as it is not registered for this age group.
  • Recommendation
  • Western Pacific
  • Australia
  • COVID-19