Coronavirus booster basics: 8 things you need to know before getting your shot

As more contagious strains of the coronavirus emerge, a new federal policy will allow millions of people to get a Pfizer booster shot to fortify immunity.

Federal regulators significantly scaled back the White House’s plan announced last month, which originally sought to offer boosters to every American adult. Instead, health authorities signed off on additional vaccines for narrower segments of the population.

Those changes have led to some confusion, so here are eight things to know:

Boosters are only for people previously vaccinated with Pfizer.

First and foremost, the individuals must have received Pfizer’s two-dose series, and they must have become fully vaccinated at least six months ago.

Then, they must tick at least one of the following boxes:

are 65 or older;
live in a long-term care setting;
are 18 or older with underlying medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe illness;
are 18 or older with a job that puts them at higher-risk of exposure to the virus.

If you got Moderna’s shots, you’ll have to wait.

Although some state public health officials believed federal regulators would say it’s OK to “cross dose” Pfizer and Moderna shots for the booster, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there isn’t enough data to support mixing and matching.

At this point, Pfizer is the only company that has presented enough data for the Food and Drug Administration and CDC to recommend boosters.

Same goes for people who got Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.

You’ll also have to wait until federal regulators review it. The drugmaker has released data showing two doses of its vaccine provided stronger immunity than one.

The booster isn’t a new drug.

It’s exactly the same stuff that was in the first and second Pfizer doses. Though some vaccines, like those for seasonal flu, change every year to adjust to different strains, this booster is no different from the previous COVID-19 shots.

But manufacturers are developing new formulations of the vaccines that incorporate the delta variant and others. Those likely won’t be ready anytime soon.

Boosters are immediately available and free.

For the eligible people who are already six months past the date they became fully vaccinated (two weeks after their second dose of a Pfizer vaccine), they can get their booster shots now. Other eligible people may schedule their vaccines once they reach six months past their second dose. State officials say there’s no rush to get the boosters on the exact six-month date.

There are a lot of places to get them.

You can go to a pharmacy, your doctor’s office, a community clinic or the health department to get a free shot. The Virginia Department of Health is also establishing other vaccination sites to ensure eligible Virginians will be able to access a booster dose when it’s recommended. To find locations, go to vaccinate.virginia.gov.

The difference between ‘third doses’ vs. ‘boosters’ is semantics.

The CDC previously endorsed third doses for people who have weakened immune systems, including those who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients and people with autoimmune disorders. The agency has advised these individuals to get a third dose as part of their primary vaccination series, at least four weeks after their second dose. That is a separate recommendation from the one regarding booster shots.

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Public health officials believe people who are immunocompromised generally don’t mount a strong enough resistance to COVID-19 with the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna series in the first place. The booster recommendation, on the other hand, is meant to rev up a person’s immunity after it has naturally declined over time.

You won’t have to prove your medical condition or high-risk job.

As Gov. Ralph Northam said at a press conference Monday, “It’s on the honor system.” The administrators of the vaccines aren’t required to ask about a person’s vaccination status, nor will they do anything to vet whether a person has an underlying medical condition or a job that qualifies as a “front-line worker.”

Public health officials say Virginians can direct their questions about whether they qualify to their health providers. You can also find information about which conditions would apply on the CDC’s website.

The CDC has said these are front-line workers: first responders, such as health care workers, firefighters, police and congregate care staff; education staff, including teachers, support staff and day care workers; food and agriculture workers; factory workers; corrections workers; U.S. Postal Service workers; public transit workers; and grocery store workers. More jobs could be added to the list later.

Dr. Danny Avula, state vaccine coordinator, said people who don’t fall into the eligible groups or are less than six months past their initial doses should wait.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-faq/vaccination.

Elisha Sauers, 757-839-4754, elisha.sauers@pilotonline.com