SAN ANTONIO – University Health will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine starting Tuesday to provide a new layer of protection against the Omicron variant.
University Health pharmacies will offer vaccines to people 12 years or older with no appointment or advanced registration required, officials said Friday.
“The bivalent booster is a new means of protection from serious illness resulting from the COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. Jason Bowling, director of hospital epidemiology for University Health and professor at UT Health San Antonio. “The bivalent vaccine is unique because it is made from two messenger RNA (mRNA) spike protein components – those from the original strain and components from the Omicron strain responsible for the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.”
University Health said no new side effects were reported with the new bivalent vaccines. The most common side effects were similar to those of the initial doses, which usually resolve quickly, officials said.
For a list of pharmacy locations, hours of operation and vaccine availability, click here.
University Health said it will still offer the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed with traditional technology for those who don’t want to get the mRNA shots. Click here for more information.
The hospital system still offers the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 6 months and up at its Robert B. Green Campus. Click here for more information.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said it is now offering Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster at its clinics and pop-up vaccination sites.
The shots are in limited supply and are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more information on Metro Health’s vaccines.
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