New COVID Boosters Expected for Fall; Preorder by Aug. 30
By Amy Lynn Sorrel

With new COVID-19 boosters on the horizon targeting the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron strains of the virus, Texas health officials have opened up preorders for these latest vaccines, which are expected to roll out this fall.   

The updated shots still need to be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pfizer and Moderna have asked FDA for emergency use authorization (EUA) of their new boosters, and the Biden administration announced they could be available as early as this fall.

The so-called bivalent vaccines include the original “ancestral” COVID-19 virus strain, plus elements of the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which took off this summer. Pfizer’s booster would be for adolescents and adults aged 12 years and older; Moderna’s for people 18 years and older.   

In preparation for the anticipated approvals, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is now accepting preorders for the new COVID-19 vaccines in the Vaccine Allocation & Ordering System, known as VAOS, from Aug. 24 through Aug. 30.  

DSHS also shared the following order details:   

  • The new boosters will have the same storage and handling requirements as the current vaccine products from the respective manufacturers. 
  • Pfizer’s vaccine will be available in six doses per vial with a minimum order quantity of 300 doses. 
  • Moderna’s vaccine will be available as five doses per vial, with a minimum order quantity of 100 doses. 
  • Ancillary supplies (a variety of 1-inch and 1.5-inch needles and syringes) will be included in the orders. An ancillary opt-out continues to be available for all nondiluent kits. 

DSHS says it will provide updates on the expected EUAs and shipping as they become available. Read Texas Medicine Today for updates.  

Last Updated On

August 29, 2022

Originally Published On

August 23, 2022

Amy Lynn Sorrel

Associate Vice President, Editorial Strategy & Programming
Division of Communications and Marketing

(512) 370-1384
Amy Sorrel

Amy Lynn Sorrel has covered health care policy for nearly 20 years. She got her start in Chicago after earning her master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and went on to cover health care as an award-winning writer for the American Medical Association, and as an associate editor and managing editor at TMA. Amy is also passionate about health in general as a cancer survivor, avid athlete, traveler, and cook. She grew up in California and now lives in Austin with her Aggie husband and daughter.

More stories by Amy Sorrel