FEB. 20, 2023

Bivalent vaccine: Learn about its differences from previous vaccines, priority vaccination groups and the importance of receiving it

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine provides reinforced protection against the original strain of the virus, as well as Omicron. Receiving your inoculation will help keep the pandemic under control and allow us to maintain our freedoms. 

The bivalent vaccine is a booster to protect people against COVID-19. Its name refers to the fact that it contains two antigens capable of delivering antibodies for both the original strain of the virus and its Omicron variant. 

But who should receive inoculation with the bivalent vaccine? And when should you get it applied? Below, we clear up these and other doubts regarding this important vaccine. 

Who should receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine? 

Those who should receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine are: 

Healthcare personnel 

  • Clinical and administrative. 
  • Intra and extra hospital care. 
  • Medical and dental services. 
  • Clinical support services, such as laboratories, radiology and pharmacy. 
  • Pathological anatomy, food, transport, security and cleaning services. 
  • Healthcare students in clinical practice. 

Immunosuppressed 12 years of age and over 

  • Patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing biological or small molecule treatment and corticosteroids. 
  • Cancer patients undergoing treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy). 
  • Patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants. 
  • Patients with a solid organ transplant (heart, lungs, kidney, liver, pancreas). 

From January 16, the bivalent vaccine will also be administered to all people 50 years of age and over. 

Requirements to receive the bivalent vaccine 

People 50 years of age and over can receive the bivalent vaccine if they meet the following requirements: 

  • Have received the primary vaccination scheme before September 25, 2022. 
  • Have received at least one booster dose before July 31, 2022. 

The primary vaccination scheme corresponds to two doses with an interval of 28 days in the case of healthy people and three doses in the case of those immunocompromised. 

Booster doses relate to one or two doses applied after the primary scheme. 

People between 12 and 50 years of age can be vaccinated with the bivalent booster if they have any of the following chronic diseases or health conditions: 

  • Chronic lung disease. 
  • Neurological disease. 
  • Chronic kidney disease. 
  • Chronic liver disease. 
  • Metabolic diseases. 
  • Heart disease. 
  • Arterial hypertension in pharmacological treatment. 
  • Obesity. 
  • Autoimmune disease. 
  • Cancer being treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapies or palliative measures of any kind. 
  • Immunodeficiencies. 
  • Serious mental illness. 

Why is it important to receive the bivalent vaccine? 

Some of the reasons why it is important to receive the bivalent vaccine are: 

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has not ended. 
  • It contains antigens against the original strains and Omicron. 
  • It develops immunity against the family of viruses derived from the two infectious agents. 
  • The vaccines offer protection, which allows us to maintain our freedoms and level of normality by keeping contagion under control.