The Arizona Department of Health Services released the following information regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Communication from the Immunization Program Office:
“The CDC has made the following recommendations for a single booster dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the ACIP. It is recommended at least six months after completion of an initial 2-dose primary Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series for the following populations:
- 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 50–64 years with 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 aged 18–49 years with 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.
- 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.
This authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.“ To learn more visit azhealth.gov.
The CDC also provided the following information on the Moderna booster, “People who got the Moderna or J&J vaccines ‘will likely need a booster shot,’ but an exact timeline of when they could receive the additional booster vaccine is unknown. More data on the effectiveness and safety of Moderna and J&J/Janssen booster shots are expected soon.”
WCH continues to wait for a date from Arizona Department of Health as to when the 3rd doses for the vaccine will be released. Once this date is released WCH will provide as much information as possible on appointments being made available at the Wickenburg Community Hospital. In the meantime, those seeking vaccine can find a vaccination location at azdhs.gov/covid19/vaccines.
