On September 24, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and recommended a booster dose for those in high-risk occupational and institutional settings.
This booster dose recommendation does not apply to people who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC recommends the booster dose for individuals who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- People aged 50 – 64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer- BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- People aged 18 – 49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer- BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- People aged 18 – 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and
West Virginians who meet CDC eligibility recommendations are strongly encouraged to choose COVID-19 vaccination, which now includes a booster dose for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. For questions about this advisory, contact the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services (OEPS) at 1-800-423-1271, ext. 1; 304-558-5358, ext. 2; or the 24/7 answering service at 304-342-5151.