Updated October 22, 2021 | CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots
Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
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65 years and older
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Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Find your vaccine here
See the CDC press release
As a clinician in our clinic, patients frequently ask me about the need for additional COVID 19 shots. Here is the short answer with more resources listed below:
immunocompromised people need 3 shots as their initial series of vaccinations
Anyone with an immunosuppressive condition or on immunosuppressive therapies, that is people who are immunocompromised, should receive a total of 3 Covid mRNA vaccines, either Pfizer or Moderna, as there initial series of vaccinations. If you received 2 vaccinations of either of these vaccines initially, a third dose may be taken now as the completion of your initial series.
“booster” for Pfizer vaccine is for higher risk individuals only
Additionally, the Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine now is approved by the FDA and there is an recommendation from the American committee for immunization practices for a “booster” dose of the Pfizer-BioNTec vaccine. This booster is basically for older adults, greater than 65 years, those with comorbidities, such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease etc., and people who live in a group housing or are of greater risk to be exposed, such as healthcare providers. This recommendation only applies to the Pfizer-BioNTec mRNA vaccine.
Updated September 27, 2021 | Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot?
Only Certain Populations Initially Vaccinated With the Pfizer -BioNTech Vaccine Can Get a Booster Shot at This Time.
People aged 65 years and older and adults 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Residents aged 18 years and older of long-term care settings should get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine based on their individual benefits and risks.
People aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine based on their individual benefits and risks.
Updated September 23, 2021 | FDA Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Populations
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose, to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series in:
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- individuals 65 years of age and older;
- individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19; and
- individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.
Today’s authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-booster-dose-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-certain-populations
As a clinician in our clinic, patients frequently ask me about the need for additional COVID 19 shots. If you’re wondering the same thing, here is what you need to know. Keep in mind that the information changes rapidly and that it is important to stay updated. We will try to give you information as we have it available to us.
WHO?
For people who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised, a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine is indicated now. This is for people with compromised immune systems or who take medication that suppresses their immune systems. This includes:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response[i]
WHAT & WHEN?
Vaccinations, a third dose, is available right now for these individuals. “CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.” [ii]
WHERE?
For our patients in the Mid-Michigan district health department, residents of Gratiot, Clinton, and Montcalm can call and make an appointment for a third dose.
Residents of Gratiot, Clinton, and Montcalm Counties
See the website for more information.
https://www.mmdhd.org/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-schedules/
What about Everybody Else??
Not Yet | Waiting on a Recommendation from FDA and ACIP
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will decide whether to issue a booster dose recommendation based on a thorough review of the evidence.[iii]
The CDC does not currently recommend booster doses for immunocompetent people
“Although CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall.”[iv] [v]
We will continue to update this notice as more information becomes available for our patients and other readers of the blog.
[i] “COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People | Updated 9/2/2021.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 1, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
[iv] “COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People | Updated 9/2/2021.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
[v] HHS News Division. “Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts On Covid-19 Booster Shots.” HHS.gov, August 18, 2021. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/08/18/joint-statement-hhs-public-health-and-medical-experts-covid-19-booster-shots.html.
Posted September 21, 2021
