Bivalent Booster Protects Residents from COVID-19 (SNF/AL)

The CDC released two scientific reports evaluating the effectiveness of the bivalent booster in nursing facility residents. The first study examined new COVID-19 cases each week, from November 2022 through early January 2023, in all U.S. nursing facilities. The study found that residents who were not up to date with the bivalent vaccine (but had been vaccinated or had a history of COVID-19) had 30-50% greater chance of developing COVID-19, compared to residents who were up to date.

The second study measured antibody levels in nursing facility residents before and after the bivalent vaccine and tested how well their antibodies protected against different COVID-19 strains, including Omicron variants. The bivalent booster resulted in a large increase in antibody levels that neutralized the Omicron variants, even in residents who had already had COVID-19 as well as 1 or 2 monovalent vaccines.  

These two studies provide clear evidence that the bivalent booster confers additional protection against the latest COVID-19 variants beyond prior infection and prior boosters for individuals living in both nursing facility and assisted living settings.