More Information on Second COVID-19 Booster Shots

Published on April 06, 2022

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Last week the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced that it had authorized an additional booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.  

“This means that a second booster shot of protection against the COVID-19 virus is now available to populations at higher risk for a more severe infection from the virus,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, Chief Medical Officer with the Unified Government Public Health Department.  

The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) is providing additional information on who is eligible for second booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and where to get those additional doses in Wyandotte County.  

According to the FDA statement issued last week, “emerging evidence suggests that a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe COVID-19 infections and is not associated with new safety concerns.” 

Who is eligible for a second booster shot now

  • Individuals 50 years of age and older, at least 4 months after they received their first booster shot of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.  
  • Individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise can receive a second booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, at least 4 months after they received their first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.  

  • These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, are receiving treatment for solid tumor or blood cancers, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. 

  • Individuals 18 years of age and older can get a second booster shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if they have the same certain immunocompromise.  Individuals 18 years of age and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

About the Decision  

The FDA based its recommendation upon current evidence, which suggests some waning of protection over time against serious infections from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals.  

The action taken by FDA on Tuesday only applies to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The agency said it will continue to evaluate data and information as it becomes available when considering the potential use of a second booster shot in other age groups.  

If you need more information on second booster shots and who is eligible for them currently, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1. The public can also find other vaccine locations by visiting vaccines.gov. Additional information about COVID-19 statistics, vaccines and testing can also be found at  WycoVaccines.org