On Thursday, March 31, 2022 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement regarding the recommendation for a second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Mod erna) for certain populations.

At this time, a second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for individuals 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised individuals. The decision from the CDC’s expert advisory committee came shortly after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as follows: • A second booster dose of the Pfiz er-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19

vaccine.

• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first boost er dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.

• A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

• Separately and in addition, adults 18 years and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months BOOSTER

From Page 3

ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

The additional booster dose recommendation for these groups exists for several reasons. Current evidence suggests some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals. Adding a second booster dose for these higher-risk individuals could help better protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Emerging evidence suggests that a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with new safety concerns.

COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, shows significant rates of effectiveness and remains the primary mitigation measure to stopping the spread of COVID-19. It is imperative that all individuals who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community.

For more information on additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations, please visit the CDC’s Clinical Considerations webpage.

The Chippewa County Department of Public Health currently offers the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. To schedule a vaccine appointment please visit the Chippewa County Coronavirus Response Hub or call 715-726-7900. Additional vaccinators, including those giving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), can be found at vaccines.gov.