Booster Dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Recommendations
September 24, 2021
 On September 24, 2021 the CDC’s Director recommended that the following groups of individuals for receipt of a single booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least six-months after completing a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

  • people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
  • people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

This recommendation comes after FDA modified the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) on September 22, 2021 for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to allow for administration of a booster dose of an Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least six-months after an initial 2-dose primary Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine series.

These recommendations have been endorsed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup in a statement issued today September 24, 2021.
Additional Recommendations:
The following is a list of underlying medical conditions that the CDC has determined may increase individuals’ risk for severe COVID-19 disease: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases including asthma, dementia or other neurological conditions, diabetes (type 1 or type 2), Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension), HIV infection, immunocompromised state, liver disease, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, smoking, current or former, solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, stroke or cerebrovascular disease, substance use disorders.
 
In addition, the CDC note that long-standing systemic health and social inequities have increased the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  In accordance with Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommendations, social determinants of vulnerability should be included in the assessment of conditions that may qualify individuals for booster doses.
 
When presenting to receive a booster dose, OCHCA recommends that patients be allowed to self-attest that they have a qualifying medical condition, or to being at increased risk due to occupational or institutional setting, and should not need to provide documentation to be eligible for a booster dose.
 
Individuals with moderate to severe immune compromising conditions continue to be recommended to receive a 3rd dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28-days after completing their second dose, with the intention of boosting these individual’s primary response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
 
COVID-19 vaccine providers are reminded that under the COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Agreement, Organization must administer COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with all requirements and recommendations of CDC and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/provider-agreement.pdf.

Contact Information:
For questions or concerns, please contact the Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180.
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