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The Indiana Department of Health announced Friday that booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine are available to eligible Hoosiers following federal authorization of the additional dose.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine to counter waning immunity in specific populations after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency-use authorization to include the boosters. The FDA previously had authorized a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine only for immunocompromised individuals who did not build protection from the vaccine.
Under the new guidelines, the single booster dose can be administered at least six months after completion of the second dose and applies only to individuals who previously received the Pfizer vaccine. Individuals who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not eligible at this time but might be in the near-future.
The following should receive a booster dose, according to the CDC:
– Individuals ages 65 and older and residents of long-term care facilities;
– Individuals ages 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk of severe COVID-19;
– Individuals ages 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster dose, based on their individual benefits and risks;
– Individuals ages 18 to 64 who are at high risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of an occupational or institutional risk of exposure.
The final group was not included in the recommendations from the CDC advisory panel but was added by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle.
Eligible Hoosiers who want to obtain a booster dose can go to www.ourshot.in.gov and search for a site that has the Pfizer vaccine, which is designated by PVAX, or call 211 for assistance.
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