Nov. 22, 2021

UPDATED COVID-19 BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY

Everyone 18 years and older is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. According to the latest CDC guidance, some groups should get a booster, and some groups may get a booster based on assessment of their individual risks and benefits. CDC recommendations on booster doses are based on the latest data with the goal of ensuring that people have optimal protection against COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death.

People who should get a booster:

• All Johnson & Johnson recipients age 18 and older, at least 2 months after initial shot
• All Moderna and Pfizer recipients age 50 and older, at least 6 months after second shot
• All residents age 18 and older in long-term care settings

People who may get a booster:

• All adults age 18 and older, at least 6 months after completing their primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

The CDC’s clinical guidance advises people to get the same booster as their initial vaccine, but allows people to mix and match (i.e. get a different COVID-19 booster than their initial vaccine) depending on availability or if they choose to.

The vaccines work. The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, including against the delta variant. CDC data show that in August 2021, the risk of dying from COVID-19 in the U.S. was more than 11 times greater for unvaccinated people than for fully vaccinated people. However, scientists are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease, especially among certain populations. This waning of the efficacy of the vaccine is the reason for the new guidance on booster doses. 

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.

UPCOMING VACCINATION CLINICS

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

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.