This newsletter is to give you an update about what to expect as we move towards COVID vaccine boosters for everyone. The language around this has been confusing and terms are being used interchangeably that actually are distinct. An “additional dose” is the official term for someone that needs more than the usual vaccine in order to respond fully for the original vaccination to take hold in their immune system. A “booster” is a vaccination given to someone that is already fully immunized to keep their immunity as high as possible after time has passed. (For example, we routinely give tetanus boosters every 10 years.)
HOW TO GET IT:
In order to get an additional dose, or a booster, or a first-ever vaccine (This is the most important one by far!) - you can call or make an appointment online with your local retail pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, Smiths etc.) or you can register on the same state NM DOH website that was used for the original vaccination campaign: VaccineNM.ORG. (Patients without internet access can register by calling 855-600-3453)
“ADDITIONAL DOSES” = BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA AVAILABLE NOW FOR PATIENTS THAT NEED AN EXTRA DOSE IN ORDER TO BE “FULLY” VACCINATED
Patients with immunity problems are in a special category. It seems that for many of them, the vaccine didn’t cause a strong enough response by their immune system. This can be overcome for many people by getting an extra dose 28 days or more after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. I strongly recommend a third injection for immunocompromised patients that have so far received only two doses. If you have any of these conditions – please consider a third dose, and call your provider if you have any questions:
· Any kind of cancer undergoing ACTIVE treatment
· Have an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
· Have received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system of your bone marrow
· Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
· Advanced or untreated HIV infection
· Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response (Including Prednisone, Humira, Methotrexate …)
If you have one of these conditions and received the J&J vaccine, please stay tuned. You do not yet need an extra dose, but you may, and you’ll want to be ready when the time is right. Making sure that you are registered through the state is a good way to stay in the loop.
“BOOSTERS” – SOME ARE AVAILABLE NOW, THE REST ARE COMING SOON. THIS IS FOR A BOOSTER OF YOUR ORIGINAL VACCINE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AGO
Everyone who has been vaccinated will be eligible for a booster sometime soon. Those rules are still in development for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, but the Pfizer vaccine booster rules are now out.
- You must get a booster that matches your original vaccine (Pfizer gets Pfizer, Monderna gets Moderna, and J&J gets J&J.)
- You must wait at least 6 months since the last/most recent vaccine dose that you’ve received. (The evidence behind this recommendation shows that 6 months is the minimum window before a booster. If you decide to wait a few months longer, that isn’t the wrong decision.)
RIGHT NOW – PFIZER BOOSTERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR:
- Patients over 65 are eligible (again, as long as they received the Pfizer vaccine and completed the 2-dose series 6 months ago.)
- Patients over 50 that have any of the following chronic conditions:
• Cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Chronic Lung Disease (COPD, Asthma, etc)
• Dementia or Neurological Conditions
• Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
• Down Syndrome
• Heart Conditions (i.e. heart failure, coronary artery disease, or hypertension)
• HIV Infection
• Overweight and obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking: Current or former
• Solid organ of blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or Cerebrovascular disease
• Liver Disease
• Substance use disorders
- Anyone living in a long-term care facility (group home, assisted living, or nursing home). These patients, even though they have been vaccinated already, are at relatively higher risk of severe COVID compared to the rest of the vaccinated population.
STARTING ON OCTOBER 11, EVEN MORE PATIENTS BECOME ELIGIBLE (PFIZER ONLY)
- Patients 18 and over with any of the chronic conditions listed above
- Patients that work in any of these high-risk and essential jobs:
• First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections workers
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR OTHER GROUPS:
- Moderna boosters will probably start in late October
- Johnson & Johnson recipients will likely have booster plans outlined around the end of the year.
- Pfizer boosters for anyone more than 6 months after their last dose will likely start sometime in November
- Children aged 5-11 will probably be eligible for vaccination starting in early November.
WHEN TO GET A BOOSTER?
You should wait at least six months after your first vaccination(s), and there really isn’t any harm in waiting a little bit longer for this one. If you have a lot of contact with high-risk people or unvaccinated people, then I would advise you to get a booster as soon as you are eligible. It also makes sense to get one if it is offered to you, to make sure that you don’t forget. It is OK to get your flu shot and COVID booster at the same time, just get the injections in different arms – or in the same arm at least one inch apart from each other.
The CDC and WHO websites are great resources for questions, as is the NM department of health (CV.NMHealth.org) and your personal PCP – this stuff can be confusing!
Remember, being vaccinated is like having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. It does not mean that nothing is going to catch on fire, it means that we can put out a fire quickly if it happens, and stop it from spreading. (Unvaccinated people are about 10 times more likely to spread COVID than vaccinated people.)
Vaccination is crucial to us fighting against the COVID pandemic. Masking and Testing are other pillars of public health and should also be part of your personal plan to manage exposure to the virus. For anyone that does catch COVID, please call your provider to discuss next steps – monitoring and treatment to minimize your chances of getting seriously ill or spreading infection.
Continue to take great care of yourselves! Your mental health, physical health and preventive care are important! Be well -
Dr. B
Disclaimer: As always, with this and other information on this site, please check with your provider regarding your unique situation.