Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Available At Kane Vax Hub

BATAVIA, IL — The Kane Vax Hub in Batavia will offer the latest COVID-19 booster vaccine meant to target omicron varients Saturday, Kane County Health Department officials announced.

The bivalent booster shot targets two versions of the coronavirus: the original strain and omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, officials said. The previous booster only targeted the former, officials said.

People ages 12 and older are eligible to receive the bivalent Pfizer booster at least two months after receiving the primary series of vaccines or prior booster. The updated Moderna booster is authorized for those 18 years and older.

The updated formulas will replace the original monovalent booster for those 12 and older. Children ages 5 to 11 will continue to receive the original formula, while kids 5 and under are not eligible for a booster shot, according to Kane County officials.

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are encouraged to consult their specialty provider about timing and dosages, local officials noted.

Appointments — they can be made online at KaneVax.org or by calling 855-452-6382 — for the bivalent vaccines will be available at the hub in Batavia, 501 N. Randall Road. Availability ranges from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Anyone with questions can visit KaneHealth.com or call the health department at 630-208-3801.