BOOSTER DOSES

Why are COVID-19 Boosters needed? 

Booster doses are meant to boost immunity to COVID-19 that may have waned over time. Booster doses of vaccines are very common. They are part of most childhood and adult vaccine series to ensure a person maintains optimal immunity against infection from a disease. 

Does this mean the initial vaccines were not effective?

No, the vaccines are very effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death.  For example, in California the unvaccinated are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than the fully vaccinated (as of 1/11/22). Emerging data about the Omicron variant has shown a decreased effectiveness of the initial vaccine after 6 months. Therefore, boosters are recommended for ages 12 and older if it has been more than 6 months since the initial vaccine series.

Do I need to take the same Booster type as my initial vaccine?

Experts agree that any of the three vaccines may now be given as a Booster for any of the primary series vaccines (mix and match approach). It is still recommended that a single brand be given for the primary series. Some research suggests that an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) may produce a more robust antibody response after the J&J series than repeating the J&J dose.

Who needs a COVID-19 Booster?

People who SHOULD receive a booster include:

• Age 65 years and older;
• Long term care residents; and
• Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities.
• Those working in higher risk occupations (See the corresponding Health Order)

People who SHOULD CONSIDER receiving a booster based on their individual benefits and risks include:

• Anyone age 12-64

3RD DOSES 

Who needs a 3rd dose?

People with weakened immune systems – including transplant, cancer and HIV patients and others with primary immunodeficiency disease or taking certain immune-suppressive medications – in general do not produce an adequate immune response to the shot. They may benefit from a 3rd dose shot.

I have a prescription for a 3rd dose, but I’m supposed to start chemotherapy next week. Is that okay?

Research tells us to wait 14 days from the date of the 3rd dose until you start immune suppressant therapy. But do not delay your therapy without discussing it with your doctor.

I am a nurse at a clinic. A regular patient of ours has come in to request a 3rd dose shot. May I give it to him?

Under direction of the Mendocino County Public Health Officer, health care providers are encouraged to give 3rd dose shots based on their clinical judgment.

What 3rd dose vaccine should I get?

The 3rd dose should be the same type of shot as you received in your first and second dose (either Pfizer or Moderna). If the correct brand is not available, an alternative mRNA vaccine may be used. 

OTHER QUESTIONS

What is myocarditis?

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. This can happen after viral infections like COVID-19.

What is the risk of getting myocarditis from COVID-19?

If you are unvaccinated, you are 4 to 8 times higher risk of myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection and at 10 times higher risk of hospitalization. If you are vaccinated your changes are extremely low, 1 in 200,000.  Young males have a slightly higher risk.

How long after I get a vaccination can I take a COVID test?

COVID vaccination does not interfere with COVID test results. You can test anytime afterwards.

My relatives are visiting from a foreign country. They received their first shot of AstraZeneca vaccine. What can they do now that they are in Mendocino County?

The AstraZeneca vaccine is not approved and not available in the United States. After one dose of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine people can start another series for adequate protection, especially against the Delta variant. They could start any of the three approved vaccines we have in the US.

The mRNA Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved in the US (Moderna is approved for emergency use), and both are two-dose series. If visiting for a short period of time, research has shown that receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine and just one dose of an mRNA vaccine offers significantly better protection.

Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) is a one-shot series so a person will be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their only shot. The only caution regarding this vaccine is for women from 18-58 years old who have a very slightly increased risk of clotting disorder and stroke. This is a caution, not a contra-indication.