COVID Update: Bivalent Boosters

Dear members of the Emerson community,

We have received a few inquiries about the College’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements with the introduction of the COVID-19 bivalent booster. Please take a moment to review the information below about the booster and flu clinics.   

What is the COVID-19 bivalent booster? How is it different from the previous boosters?

The updated (bivalent) boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. 

Previous boosters are called “monovalent” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. They also provide some protection against Omicron, but not as much as the updated (bivalent) boosters.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html)

When am I considered up-to-date with my COVID-19 vaccines?

According to the College’s vaccine requirements, you are considered up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have:

• Received two doses of the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine and booster 
• Or one dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and booster

If you have not received a booster, you are not up to date with the College’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Individuals who have not received any previous COVID-19 boosters will need to get the COVID-19 bivalent booster in order to remain in compliance with the College’s vaccine requirements, since the monovalent booster is no longer available.

Flu Clinics

As a reminder, the Emerson Wellness Center has Flu Clinics available to students this Fall. A list of dates and times of the Emerson Wellness Center Flu Clinics can be found on the Emerson Wellness Center’s website. The Flu Clinics are currently for students only. We hope to be able to expand this service to the rest of the Emerson community in the future.

Staff and faculty interested in obtaining their flu shot can find a list of sites and clinics that offer the flu vaccine here.

Stay Well, 
Christina Paris
Associate Director of Community Health and Engagement 
Emerson Wellness Center