FAMILY & HEALTH NEWS

CDC recommends booster dose for all adults aged 18 and older

On Nov. 19, the CDC’s independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a booster shot for all adults who received an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) as their primary vaccine series.

The following recipients of an mRNA primary series should receive a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Janssen) at least six months after completion of the primary series:

  • People aged 50 years and older ;
  • Residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings

The following recipients of an mRNA primary series may receive a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Janssen) at least six months after completing their primary series based on their individual benefits and risks:

  • All other persons aged 18 years and older ;Additional eligibility information; Pregnant people can receive any of the currently FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines as a booster dose.

Immunocompromised people aged ≥18 years who received a 2-dose mRNA primary series and an additional primary dose (3 total mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses) are eligible for a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Janssen) at least six months after completing their third mRNA vaccine dose.

For people who received a primary dose of J&J (Janssen) vaccine, the recommendations have not changed. Anyone aged 18+ who is two months past their initial date of vaccination is eligible for a booster dose regardless of underlying condition. People administering these doses should double check the initial date of vaccination to ensure proper spacing between doses.

Recommendations from Healthcare Providers:

Healthcare providers should recommend a COVID-19 booster shot to any adult who completed their primary mRNA vaccine series six month ago.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Healthcare providers should confirm that the person is six months out from the completion of their second dose of mRNA vaccine.

Recommendations for Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine remain the same: Everyone 18 years and older who received a J&J/Janssen vaccine at least two months ago should get a booster shot.

All healthcare providers should continue to encourage all eligible Montanans age 12+ (and parents or guardians when a minor) to receive a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine.

This season’s flu vaccine is currently available and can be co-administered with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Submitted by CDC

Chase Lee Anderson

Asa Anderson and Katie Salomon welcomed baby boy, Chase Lee Anderson on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Chase was born at 7:25 p.m.  He weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces, and was 20 inches long at the time of his birth. He was delivered by Dr. Kelli Jarrett at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, Mont..

 

Photo by Joseph D. Jameson Photography