COVID-19 Booster Vaccination News

By Darlynn Williams, PR County Public Health Nurse

Part of the anticipation and wait for booster COVID-19 vaccinations is over. Last week the CDC’s independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended certain populations receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series. In addition, the CDC Director recommends an additional dose for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

This guidance only applies to persons who received the Pfizer vaccine as their primary series.

Boosters for those who received the Moderna and J&J vaccinations have not been recommended by the FDA or ACIP at this time.

CDC recommends:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;

• people aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;

• people 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and

• people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Below is a list of high risk medical conditions identified by the CDC.

• Cancer

• Chronic kidney disease

o Chronic lung diseases, including: COPD, Moderate to severe asthma, Interstitial lung disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary Hypertension

• Dementia or Alzheimer’s

• Diabetes

• Down Syndrome

o Heart conditions, including: Heart failure, Coronary artery disease, Cardiomyopathies, Hypertension

• Immunocompromised state

• Liver disease

• Being overweight or obese

• Pregnancy

• Solid organ or stem cell transplant recipient

• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease

• Substance use disorder

Please call Morgan at Powder River Medical Clinic to schedule a booster dose. 436-2651