In this Journal file photo, Diana Reeves, an English teacher at Marquette Senior High School, receives a Moderna vaccination on Thursday at UPHS-Marquette. The CDC updated some of its COVID-19 recommendations for immunocompromised people. (Photo courtesy of MAPS)

By Journal Staff

ATLANTA — The U.S. Center For Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has simplified COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to allow people who may be at higher risk and want the option of added protection.

Although there was no vote during last week’s meeting, ACIP members expressed their support for several recommendations, according to a CDC press release.

The bivalent vaccine, which stimulates an immune response against two different antigens, was at the center of the recommendations.

The changes will allow an additional updated vaccine dose for adults who are 65 years and older. People who are immunocompromised are also eligible for additional vaccine doses.

The move gives healthcare providers the flexibility to administer additional doses of the vaccine to immunocompromised patients as needed, the release states.

Monovalent vaccines, which are doses that contain only one strain of the COVID-19 virusCOVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the U.S.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their monovalent primary series.

Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.

For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.

Alternatives to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available for people who cannot or choose not to get that type of vaccine.

The CDC says recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccines were not affected by the changes made during the committee meeting.

Per the release, the CDC and ACIP continue to monitor COVID-19 disease levels and vaccine effectiveness in the months ahead and look forward to additional discussion around potential updates this fall.

For more information on on the COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/.