Oct. 22, 2021
CDC Recommends Booster Dose for Moderna and J&J

In addition to its earlier decision to recommend a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the CDC's  Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted October 21, 2021, to recommend a booster dose of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines.

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Individuals may self-attest (i.e., self-report that they are eligible) and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered.

In general, the same vaccine used for the first vaccination series should be used for the booster; however, eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Updated Guidance for Booster Doses of Pfizer & Moderna

Effective immediately, the CDC recommends for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• People 65 years and older
• People 18 years and older who reside in long-term care settings
• People aged 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings

Updated Guidance for Booster Doses of Johnson & Johnson

Effective immediately, CDC recommends:

• People aged 18 years and older who received a single dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) primary series (1 dose) should receive a COVID-19 booster dose at least 2 months after the first dose.
• The J&J vaccine does not have eligibility criteria for the booster dose. (Anyone who received a shot of J&J is now eligible for a booster.)

Most local vaccination providers have Pfizer and Moderna.  Supplies of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are currently limited so residents seeking that vaccine/booster are encouraged to first check with their provider or the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association.

UPCOMING LOCAL VACCINATION CLINICS

Friday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in boosters and vaccinations of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson administered by the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association.

Monday, Oct. 25, 4 – 7 p.m.

Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in boosters and vaccinations of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson administered by the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.

Medical Associates East Campus, Lower Level, 1000 Langworthy St., Dubuque
Boosters and vaccinations of Pfizer and Moderna. To schedule an appointment, call 563-584-3200.

Friday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association, 660 Iowa St., Dubuque
Walk-in boosters and vaccinations of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson administered by the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association.

Infocus Pharmacy at 1690 Elm Street in Dubuque is offering walk-in vaccinations of Pfizer and Moderna, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.

There are multiple locations/providers in Dubuque County offering free COVID-19 vaccinations, to see the complete list with contact information for each, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/sleevesup or call the SleevesUp Call Center at 563.690.6253.

For COVID-19 testing options, visit www.dubuquecounty.org/COVID19.