09/24/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2021 12:33
September 24, 2021
Booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are now recommended and available for older residents and other adults at high risk of severe disease or exposure to the virus, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).
Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer for certain groups of people.
Those who should get booster doses include:
Those who may consider booster doses depending on their personal risk and situation include:
"While we continue to emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccines for those people who are not yet vaccinated, these booster doses are intended to help provide continued strong protection for those who are most likely to experience severe illness or exposure to the virus," Harrist said.
The Pfizer booster doses are to be given at least six months after someone received their second shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Booster doses have not been authorized or recommended for people who received the Moderna or Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
"COVID-19 vaccines continue to be safe and effective against COVID-19, including the variants, and are especially good at protecting against severe illness," Harrist said. "This Pfizer booster recommendation for more vulnerable people was not unexpected and it will not be surprising to see similar future recommendations for the vaccines produced by other companies."
"With the arrival of fall, many people may be ready to receive their seasonal flu shots, which we strongly encourage. It is considered safe to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine dose at the same time," Harrist said.
Harrist noted all COVID-19 vaccine doses continue to be offered at no cost to those who receive them.
Convenient ways to find where to get COVID-19 vaccines, including the newly recommended booster doses, include:
In August, the CDC recommended an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. More important details about the additional-dose recommendation for these specific individuals can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after one dose of the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.
More details about the new CDC recommendations can be found online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
More information from WDH about vaccination in Wyoming can be found at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/.