Starting today, eligible Los Angeles County residents can receive a third booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approved the distribution of Pfizer’s third injections earlier this week. .
However, questions remain about the application of the reinforcements against COVID-19 outside the county.
This is what we know so far.
Who is eligible for a booster shot?
Under the new federal guidelines, booster shots will be available to four groups of people fully inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine:
- Those who are 65 or older
- Those who live in a long-term care facility
- Those ages 18 to 64 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19
- Those ages 18 to 64 who are frequently exposed to coronavirus due to work or other obligations
A key CDC advisory committee did not endorse boosters for people in the fourth category, but the director of these institutions, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, sided with the FDA in favor of boosters for nurses, teachers and other people with high occupational risk.
To be eligible, individuals must also have received their second injection of Pfizer antigen at least six months prior to requesting the third dose. However, the CDC recommends receiving a booster within eight months of being inoculated with the second dose.
Do I need a booster shot?
Although the vaccines have only been available for a few months, studies show that their effectiveness can decrease over time, a phenomenon known as waning immunity. Antigens still provide protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death, the CDC notes, but “with the Delta variant, public health experts are beginning to see reduced protection against mild and moderate illness.”
However, the CDC still does not recommend the booster shot for everyone in the eligible groups. Instead, the agency details that the people who should receive the third dose are those who are at least 65 years old, who live in a long-term care facility or who are between 50 and 64 years old and have underlying medical conditions. It also adds that others in the eligible groups should consider their individual benefits and risks when deciding whether to receive a third injection.
In addition to the groups eligible for boosters from Pfizer, the CDC recommends that people with moderate to severe immune compromised systems receive a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 28 days after their second injection to help develop more resistance.
Can you mix and match vaccines?
Not yet.
If you received the Johnson & Johnson antigen, you are currently not eligible for a booster shot, according to the CDC. Because Johnson & Johnson’s inoculation mechanics are different from those of Pfizer and Moderna, the CDC indicates that more research is needed before deciding whether it is safe and effective to mix the two types.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also advises against mixing and matching the Pfizer and Moderna antigens, pending further investigation and guidance from the FDA.
When and where can you get your booster?
Los Angeles residents can begin receiving their vaccinations today at any facility that has administered their previous doses. You can make an appointment or find a site that offers vaccines on demand on the County Public Health Department website. Pharmacies and community clinics already have doses available.
Proof of prior inoculation of Pfizer injections must be provided at the time of your third dose, either digitally or with your vaccination card.
If you want to read this article in Spanish, Click here.
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