The Austin Public Health Agency is now administering free additional booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to certain groups and aligning with federal guidance for people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
A second booster shot, either from Pfizer or Moderna, is available for people age 50 and older who received their first booster at least four months ago.
Some immunocompromised people age 12 and older may receive an additional booster from Pfizer, again at least four months apart from their first booster. The same goes for a second Moderna booster for people 18 and older. This includes people with cancer, transplant recipients, and those taking medications that weaken their immune systems.
Immunizations at APH clinics are free and do not require identification or insurance.
Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that nearly 3 out of 4 eligible people in Travis County have received their first two doses of vaccines. But only about half of the eligible population has been reinforced.
Even with COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations down, Austin Public Health Medical Director Desmar Walkes says the new guidance is an important consideration for people most at risk from the virus.
The health agency also aligned itself with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people who have received a first or booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The CDC recommends that people who have received J&J vaccines consider receiving an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines four months after they are boosted.
During the recent surge in the omicron variant, the CDC reported that people who received their booster shots were 21 times less likely to die from the virus.
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