COCONINO COUNTY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sept. 23 approved a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty) in certain populations who received the first two doses of Pfizer vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine booster dose is approved to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series of Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine in:
- persons age 65+ and long-term care facility residents;
- persons aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions;
- persons based on individual benefit and risk who are aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions.
The booster dose offers additional protection for those at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and is currently authorized only for those who received the Pfizer vaccine in their initial vaccine series. Moderna has submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the evaluation of a booster shot of its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Johnson & Johnson is also expected to offer a booster dose if approved. The authorization of COVID-19 booster doses included several steps involving the FDA and CDC.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) noted that the primary COVID-19 vaccine series for both Moderna and Pfizer is highly effective.
Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised continue to be eligible for a third dose of either mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). To learn more about eligibility for a third dose, visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46487/CDC-Recommends-Additional-COVID-dose-9152021
For more information and to find a COVID-19 vaccine location near you, visit coconino.az.gov/covid19.