Pfizer COVID19 Booster Update

COVID 19 Vaccine Booster Update

Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, September 24—only for certain people age 18 years and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago.

The CDC says these groups should get the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot:
- People 65 and over & residents in long-term care facilities.
- People 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

The CDC says these groups may get the booster shot:
- People 18 to 49 underlying medical conditions.
Underlying medical conditions list:
1. Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
2. Chronic kidney disease
3. Pulmonary disease, incl. COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases
4. Intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down syndrome
5. Heart conditions, incl. coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
6. Immunocompromised state incl. solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes.
7. Severe & regular obesity
8. Pregnancy
9. Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
10. Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
11. Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
12. Neurologic conditions including

- Health care workers, teachers, or other essential workers 18 to 64 at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission.

Booster vaccines are not currently available for those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

If you think you are eligible and have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, please check the New York State, New York City, New Jersey, or Connecticut websites for locations.

Author

Dr. Mark L. Meyer Dr. Meyer graduated from Haverford College with a Bachelor of Science, High Honors, in cellular and molecular biology, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude. He attended the Yale University School of Medicine, where he also completed a categorical residency in Internal Medicine, served for one year as an Emergency Department attending physician, and held the title of Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery. During this time, Dr. Meyer obtained a J.D. from the Yale Law School, concentrating on medical ethics, scientific research law, and FDA law. He then completed a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained Level 3 Nuclear Cardiology training.

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