September 26, 2021
Media Contact: Breanne Forbes Hubbard, population health manager, breanne.forbes-hubbard@vdh.virginia.gov, 276-759-8297
Mount Rogers Health District Offering Pfizer Booster Doses to Certain Populations
(Marion, Va.) – Mount Rogers Health District will begin offering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to certain populations starting Monday, September 27. This move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its vaccination guidelines to recommend Pfizer booster doses for people over 65, those at risk of severe COVID-19, and those in high-risk occupational or institutional settings.
CDC recommends:
- 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 risks.
At this time, booster doses are only available to those who received the initial vaccine two-dose series with the Pfizer vaccine. Data on booster doses for those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson is expected in the coming weeks. There is not currently sufficient data on mixing and matching (i.e. receiving a primary series of Pfizer and a Moderna booster), so those who received a Moderna or Johnson & Johnson primary series cannot get a Pfizer booster.
“Vaccines are widely available throughout the community,” said Breanne Forbes Hubbard, population health manager. “We have many pharmacy and health care partners who are providing vaccines. You do not have to return to the same place you received your initial vaccine for your booster dose. You can go to any provider who is offering COVID-19 vaccines.”
“While we love to provide COVID-19 vaccines to our community, we will be out frequently in local schools providing flu vaccines this fall,” continued Forbes Hubbard. “We encourage residents to seek COVID-19 booster doses at local pharmacies or through their health care providers.”
While Pfizer booster doses are recommended for certain populations, the Pfizer vaccine is still very protective, and there is not a need to rush out and get a booster dose exactly six months after the primary series was complete. People are still considered fully vaccinated eight months after their primary series. It is recommended that the booster be received six to eight months after the second Pfizer vaccine. Booster doses can be scheduled at the individual’s convenience. Virginians are encouraged to call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA, their health care provider, or their local health department with questions about booster eligibility.
Virginia residents can easily find a Pfizer booster dose appointment by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 1-877-VAX-IN-VA, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vaccine providers in Mount Rogers Health District can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov/mount-rogers/vaccine/.
Mount Rogers will be offering Pfizer booster doses in local health department offices. Please call your local health department to schedule a Pfizer booster dose appointment.
- Bland County Health Department – 276-688-3642
- Bristol City Health Department – 276-642-7335
- Carroll County Health Department – 276-730-3180
- Galax City Health Department – 276-236-6127
- Grayson County Health Department – 276-773-2961
- Smyth County Health Department – 276-781-7460
- Washington County Health Department – 276-676-5604 or 276-696-0110
- Wythe County Health Department – 276-228-5507
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine. For details on COVID-19 vaccination in Mount Rogers Health District, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/mount-rogers/.
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