TULSA, OK – [September 24, 2021] – Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., 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 FDA and the CDC have approved and recommended the following should receive a booster shot six-months after the completion of their vaccine series:
• Individuals 65 years of age and older and residents of long-term care facilities;
• Individuals 50 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions;
Additionally, the CDC recommends the following may receive a booster shot:
• Individuals 18 to 49 years of age with underlying medical conditions and upon consideration of individual benefits and risk.
• Individuals 18 to 64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting
The Tulsa Health Department will begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to these individuals on September 24. Those that qualify are eligible to receive their booster shot six-months after the completion of their vaccine series (after their second dose). Currently, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are not eligible for booster administration and guidance is still forthcoming.
“This updated guidance from CDC allows for our community members who are at highest risk for COVID-19 to receive a booster shot to help increase their protection,” said THD Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. As the science and the virus evolves, so do our policies and recommendations. Booster doses are common for many vaccines. The scientists and medical experts who developed the COVID-19 vaccines continue to closely watch for signs of waning immunity, how well the vaccines protect against new mutations of the virus, and how that data differs across age groups and risk factors.”
There is more than 300+ providers approved to offer the COVID-19 vaccines in Tulsa County. You do not have to receive your booster dose or third dose at the same place you went to originally. The vaccine is widely available at many local doctors’ offices, heath care systems, pharmacies, and big retail chains like Walmart. There is no cost to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Tulsa Health Department will continue to offer vaccines at a variety of locations throughout Tulsa County. Appointments are required and can be made online at www.vaccinate918.com or by calling 211. THD will also be on-site at the SageNet Center during the Tulsa State Fair to offer a walk-in vaccine clinic for any dose to individuals who are attending the Fair. Additionally, THD will set up a temporary point-of-dispensing site at the Tulsa Technology Center Broken Arrow Campus on September 27-28. Appointments are required.
Oklahoma is not experiencing a vaccine shortage at this time. According to Oklahoma State Department of Health, there are at least 57 Tulsa County providers with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine supply in stock, including many health local pharmacies and health care providers. This number does not include tribal or federal vaccine sites.
THD has also been offering third doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems, These individuals are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. These doses are given at least 28 days after the completion of the initial 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.
In contrast, a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection may have decreased over time (this is called waning immunity).
More information regarding vaccine clinic locations in Tulsa County can be found at vaccinate918.com. THD continues to offer specimen collection for COVID-19 testing by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online. Call 918-582-9355 to speak to a public health professional. For more information about COVID-19, please visit tulsa-health.org/COVID19.
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