09/24/2021
Covid Booster
Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D. endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and also recommended a booster dose for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC’s guidance for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep Americans safe.
COVID-19 vaccination is our best tool to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic.
All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19 and protect people from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19. The graphic below demonstrates the number of patients currently on life support in Atrium on 9/22/2021. I cannot over emphasize the importance of COVID vaccination.
Though vaccinated individuals have significant protection against severe illness (hospitalization) some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 still get sick because no vaccine is 100% effective. Experts continue to monitor and evaluate how often this occurs, how severe their illness is, and how likely a vaccinated person is to spread COVID-19 to others.
This updated guidance from CDC today allows for millions of Americans who are at highest risk for COVID-19 to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection.
CDC recommends:
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.
It’s unclear when boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients will be authorized. The FDA and CDC are evaluating the data and should give us guidance over the next few weeks.
As your dedicated care team, we want to make sure you are aware of all your options for the Covid booster shot.
We will be offering limited clinics in the coming weeks at Perspective Health & Wellness for your 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Some other options include:
Scheduling yourself on MyAtriumHealth.org – MyAtriumHealth - Login Page there are multiple locations around Atrium Health & specifically in the SouthPark area that have availability
You can contact your local pharmacy, CVS, Walgreens, etc. should all be offering the Covid Booster for the approved groups
Lastly, PHW will have Pfizer booster shots available – these will be administered in the same fashion as our flu clinics. We will have certain days & times they can be scheduled. Your booster will need to be scheduled for one of the clinics & won’t be offered at your regularly scheduled office visit. We want to ensure that we are using all resources appropriately and not wasting any doses. We plan to have the first clinic tentatively the week of October 4th. Please look for dates & times in next Friday’s email blast
