COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Marion County Public Health will be holding a Moderna Booster clinic on the following dates this week:

• Thursday, October 28 from 9:00am to 11:30am
• Friday, October 29 from 9:00am to Noon

Please sign up for an appointment using this link: https://login.nowaitinside.com/#/booking/6o1g26EfKO9yh9tkrs0ydhyV

The following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• Individuals 65 years and older
• Individuals 18 years and older who reside in long-term care settings
• Individuals 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions (see https://bit.ly/3G8TvEx)
• Individuals 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings (see https://bit.ly/3B0ZFCB)

For individuals that received the Janssen/J&J COVID-19 vaccine, all individuals 18 years and older are eligible for a booster dose 2 months after their first dose.

Indications for a Booster Dose Following mRNA COVID-19 Primary Series

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted October 21, 2021 to recommend a booster dose following mRNA (Moderna and Pfizer) COVID-19 primary series. Individuals may self-report that they are eligible and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered. If a Moderna vaccine booster is administered, the booster dose volume will be a half dose. Studies have shown that amount will give us a great immune response without the intense symptoms that some people had for a day or so after their previous vaccination.

DA’s Authorization of Heterologous (Mix-and-Match) Booster Dose FDA amended the EUAs for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Heterologous dosing may be considered for the booster dose only.