Frequently asked questions
11/19/21 - Information on COVID-19 Booster Doses for Adults
CDC has approved COVID-19 booster doses for all adults (ages 18+)
CDC COVID-19 Booster recommendations are if:
- You are 50+ years of age you "should" receive the booster dose*
- You are 18+ years of age and live in a long-term care facility you "should" receive the booster dose*
- You are an adult 18+ years of age, you "may" receive the booster*
*****To be eligible for a booster dose, all adults must wait at least 6 months since their 2nd dose of Pfizer/Moderna or 2 months since their dose of J&J to receive the booster dose.*****
Current Vaccine Fact Sheets:
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 5-11 years of age, orange cap Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
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Information on Pfizer Pediatric Dose
CDC Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5-11
On October 19th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 5 to 11 years of age.
On November 2nd, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended that children in that age range be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine. CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, has endorsed that recommendation.
At this time, providers may begin administration of the vaccine to children 5 to 11 years of age.
Please keep in mind: Pfizer’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is a different product than its vaccine for adolescents and adults.
For additional information:
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine-faqs.aspx#children
Current Vaccine Fact Sheets:
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 5-11 years of age, orange cap Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
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Information on Booster Doses
Who is eligible for a Booster Dose?
On Wednesday, October 20, the FDA made amendments to the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines that expanded the use of a booster dose in eligible populations.
On Thursday, October 21, the CDC issued booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a “mix-and-match” booster dose.
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 primary series: 65 years and older 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
For individuals who received 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.
For additional information:
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/covid19/VaxRecAddBoosterDoses.pdf
Current Vaccine Fact Sheets:
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
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Information on the 3rd dose vaccine for Immunocompromised Patients
On Aug. 12, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization fact sheets to include guidance on administering an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people whose immune system are moderately to severely compromised receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after an initial two-dose mRNA series (Pfizer or Moderna).
Who would be considered an "immunocompromised individual"?
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
- 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
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
Which COVID-19 Vaccine should I receive for my 3rd dose?
The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). If the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. A person should not receive more than three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses.
What if I want the 3rd dose but I'm not considered "immunocompromised"?
It’s important to note that an additional dose is only recommended for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
I received the J&J and am considered "immunocompromised. What do I do?
Currently, there are insufficient data to support the use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after a single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccination series in immunocompromised people. FDA and CDC are actively working to provide guidance on this issue.
Immunocompromised individuals may discuss with their health care provider whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. If their health care provider is not at a site administering vaccines, these individuals can self-attest and receive the additional dose wherever vaccines are offered.
For more information, please visit : https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html.
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What if I don't have insurance?
No problem! You can still get the vaccine for free. When you arrive for your appointment, you'll simply check the "uninsured" section on our form when you're completing your paperwork.
If I got my first dose of the vaccine at another location, can I get my second dose from you?
Yes. We'd be happy to provide your second dose, as long as it's the same brand of vaccine as your first dose!
Is the Pfizer vaccine approved for ages 12+?
(As of 5/12/21) "The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today recommended the Pfizer vaccine be used in all adolescents from ages 12 to 15 years. With today’s CDC approval, all providers with Pfizer vaccine on hand should begin to vaccinate young people in that age group. "
Have additional questions?
Email us at covid19@trinityapothecary.com