COVID-19 News

Harrisburg, PA – Following an in-depth approval process by the federal government, the Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced that booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will be available to certain adults. These decisions follow action in September approving Pfizer vaccine boosters.

“Vaccine providers across Pennsylvania have supplies of all three safe and effective vaccines ready to administer booster shots today to those who are eligible,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “I am impressed by the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are stepping up every day to get their first, second or third dose of vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors against COVID-19.”
The CDC recommends booster shots for certain groups of individuals:

Individuals who received Moderna or Pfizer vaccine are eligible to get a booster, if it has been at least six months since your initial series of two doses, and you are one of the following:

• Age 65+,
• Age 18+ and reside in a long-term care setting,
• Age 18+ and have an underlying medical condition, or
• Age 18+ and work or live in a high-risk setting.

Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine are eligible to get a booster, if it has been at least two months since their initial dose.

Regardless of which brand of vaccine received for the primary COVID-19 vaccination, individuals are able to take any brand of booster dose.
Individuals who have questions about getting vaccinated are encouraged to talk to their doctor or other trusted healthcare professional.
Last month, Acting Secretary Beam signed an order to ensure that vaccine providers are prepared to start scheduling COVID-19 booster shots upon CDC authorization.

There will be an adequate supply of the vaccine for eligible individuals and Pennsylvania vaccine providers are prepared to administer doses now and schedule appointments. As with other healthcare services, patients may need to schedule appointments in advance.

“These vaccines remain our best strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Beam said. “If you are fully vaccinated you still have protection. Getting a booster dose will increase your level of defense. If you have family and friends who are not yet vaccinated, please encourage them to talk to their doctor and consider getting vaccinated now.”

To find a vaccine provider near you, please visit www.vaccines.gov.

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Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Delaware County COVID-19 Task Force will offer the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 booster to eligible individuals beginning on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

People who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago and meet at least one of the below criteria are eligible to receive the booster:

• Are age 65 or older
• Live in a long-term care facility
• Are age 18 or older and have an underlying medical condition that puts them at higher risk including but are not limited to:
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular disease (such as stroke)
• Obesity
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Diabetes mellitus, type 1 and 2
• Heart condition (such as heart failure, coronary arteries disease, or cardiomyopathies)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pregnancy or recent pregnancy
• Current or former smoker
• Are age 18 or older and work or live in a location that puts them at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 including:
• Essential workers, such as healthcare workers, teachers, day-care staff, and first responders
• Caregivers of an immunocompromised individual
• Individuals who live in a congregate living setting, such as a homeless shelter, prison, or assisted living facility

The amended FDA authorization and updated CDC recommendation apply only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC’s recommendation can be found here.

Individuals who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and have a medical condition associated with immunosuppression are eligible to receive a third booster dose of Moderna.

A third dose of Moderna will be offered at least 28 days after the second dose to those who meet the following criteria:

• People who receive active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• People who had an organ transplant and are taking medication to suppress the immune system
• People who have had a stem cell transplant in the past two years
• People who have been diagnosed with a condition such as DiGeorge Syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrom which compromises the immune system
• People diagnosed with HIV and have a high viral load or low CD4 count or who are not currently taking medication to Rx HIV
• People who are taking high dose steroids or other medications that may cause severe suppression of the immune system

It is recommended that you consult with your medical provider if you are unsure if you fit into any of these categories. The County is offering a third dose of Moderna to severely immunocompromised people.

Information on where and when to receive a first, second, and third/booster vaccine can be found here.

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