The Jefferson County Health Department today shared information about getting a booster shot to increase protection against the coronavirus.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has recommended that certain populations with an increased risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Pfizer, or Comirnaty) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Detailed below are recommendations regarding who should, and who may, receive a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech booster authorization only applies to people whose primary series was PfizerBioNTech vaccine. People in the recommended groups who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines likely will need a booster shot in the near future. More data on the effectiveness and safety of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots are expected soon.
“Booster doses are intended to help people who are vaccinated maintain the highest possible level of immune system protection for as long as possible,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer for the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases. “It’s important to remember that all the authorized COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection after the primary series. Getting every eligible person vaccinated continues to be our most important strategy for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.”
A booster dose serves a different purpose than the additional dose recommended in early August for certain immunocompromised people, he said. The additional doses are for people with certain medical conditions or who are receiving certain treatments leaving them moderately or severely immunocompromised and who may not have built a strong enough immune response after their initial vaccine.
In contrast, a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after their initial vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time — also referred to as waning immunity.
Evidence suggests that immunity is waning over time for some people who initially were well-protected by the vaccine. For those people, a booster dose will strengthen and extend their protection against infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
People still are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing their primary series: two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna or one-dose series of Johnson & Johnson.
The DHS recommends that the following populations should receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:
• People 65 years and older.
• All residents in long-term care.
• People ages 50–64 years with certain underlying medical conditions.
Those include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases (including COPD orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension), dementia or other neurological conditions, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension), HIV infection, immunocompromised state (weakened immune system).
Also, liver disease, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease or thalassemia, smoking (current or former), solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, stroke or cerebrovascular disease that affects blood flow to the brain, and substance use disorders.
The DHS recommends that the following populations may receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their individual risks and benefits:
• People ages 18–49 years with certain underlying medical conditions (listed above).
• People ages 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or institutional settings.
Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front-line essential workers and healthcare workers: first responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, staff at congregate care facilities), education staff (teachers, support staff, childcare workers), food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store workers.
That list might be subject to updates in the future as additional information and evidence is assessed.
With the high-level of disease transmission in Wisconsin, DHS officials continue to urge everyone who is not vaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and for all people to add additional layers of protection, including masking up indoors, staying home when feeling sick and avoiding large indoor gatherings.
For additional information about booster doses, additional doses, and help accessing your COVID-19 vaccine record to determine when you may be recommended for a booster, visit the DHS Additional Doses and Booster Doses webpage.
At this time, Jefferson County Health Department does not intend to hold mass vaccination clinics due to a robust network of vaccinators that did not exist earlier in the year. It will continue to monitor and ensure access to vaccination for all residents.
Visit the JCHD COVID-19 Dashboard, website, and our social media for more information. To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit www.vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 211. You also can call (844) 684-1064 or (800) 232-0233.
Many pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart or your local pharmacy chain) may offer walk-in vaccinations. Always call ahead to ensure availability.
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