COVID-19

CDC Booster Update

Photo by Braňo on Unsplash

The CDC released new recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination booster shots.

For those with a moderately to severely compromised immune system who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series: They should receive an additional dose of vaccine at least 28 days after completing their initial series.

For those who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series:

The following groups are eligible for a booster shot 6 months or more after their initial series. The Pfizer booster is the same dose as the initial series. The Moderna booster is a half dose.

  1. 65 years and older
  2. Age 18 and older who live in long -term care settings (“Long-term care settings” include any location where older adults, people with disabilities, etc. receive services or support)
  3. Age 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions (such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic lung diseases, etc.)
  4. Age 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings . Health care workers for example.

For those who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: The CDC is recommending booster shots for individuals who are 18 years old and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Which booster to get? 

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster.

Available data right now show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those you love.

Stay well!

Sincerely,
Dr. Drourr, Dr. Shtern, and the staff of Concierge Medicine of Jupiter

 

Additional resources:

  1. COVID-19 tracking: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
  2. Finding vaccines: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/
  3. Testing sites: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/

 

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Fully Vaccinated? Now What?

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Covid 19 Vaccine

So….a little birdie told us that some of you have been FULLY VACCINATED against the COVID-19 virus. What does that mean for you?

After a long year of COVID19 pandemic, the CDC guidelines are changing again. People who have been FULLY VACCINATED are wondering what activities are considered safe.

What is FULLY VACCINATED?

People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).

As per CDC guidelines dated April 2nd, 2021, FULLY VACCINATED people can: 

  • Resume domestic travel and do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
  • FULLY VACCINATED people do not need to get tested before leaving the United States (unless required by the destination) or self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
  • Visit with other FULLY VACCINATED people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
  • Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure IF they are asymptomatic.

As per current CDC recommendations, FULLY VACCINATED people should continue to:

  • Take precautions in public such as wearing a well-fitted mask and practice physical distancing.
  • Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID -19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
  • Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households.
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
  • Get tested if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Follow guidelines issued by individual employers.
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.

Other considerations….

  • Sometimes you don’t know who is FULLY VACCINATED or who is at a high risk for severe COVID-19 infection.
  • CDC guidelines and Health Department recommendations will likely change as more information becomes available.
  • keep in mind: guidelines change quickly as we learn about this virus. Stay informed and stay safe!

From your friends at Concierge Medicine of Jupiter

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