The Union County Health Department is waiting on information from federal and state authorities before it begins to administer booster doses of the COVID-19 shot.
UCHD has been preparing to administer booster doses, but must receive clinical guidance from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health first, according to a statement from the agency.
Once guidelines are in place, UCHD will give boosters to those who live or work in Union County, or received their first two doses through the local health department.
UCHD officials noted that the booster dose is only for certain groups of people who completed the two-dose Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.
People in the recommended groups for a booster dose who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine may need a booster shot in the future. The FDA and CDC are reviewing the effectiveness and safety of these booster shots and are expected to make recommendations in the coming weeks.
Several groups of people have been designated as at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 and will be eligible for a Pfizer booster dose.
Those who should receive a booster shot include:
– Those 65 and older and residents in long term care;
– Those who are 50 to 64 with a certain underlying medical condition.
Those who may receive a booster dose include:
– Those who are 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions;
– Those who are 18 to 49 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional setting.
UCHD plans to administer booster doses through increased capacity at its regular clinics and through additional drive-thru clinics in October. Officials said more information is forthcoming as clinical guidance is released for vaccine administrators.