Bonus shot, booster shot

Vaccinated individuals can increase their COVID-19 vaccine efficiency

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots. 

The CDC announced on Oct. 21 that booster shots were available for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Each vaccine has its own booster, but individuals can mix and match the booster and original vaccine. The booster shots are designed to improve the efficiency of the vaccine.  

“There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States,” a CDC press release on Oct. 21 said. “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. [The] CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.” 

The requirements for eligibility vary between vaccines. For J&J, individuals over 18 years of age are eligible for the booster two months after their initial vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna, on the other hand, have limited eligibility.  

Six months after their initial vaccinations with either Pfizer or Moderna, individuals 65 years of age or older are eligible for the booster shot. Individuals 18 years of age or older are eligible for the booster shot if they have underlying medical conditions, work in a high risk setting or live in high risk or long-term care settings. 

In a statement released by the Ferris re-entry committee on Oct. 10, before the booster shot eligibility was extended to include all three vaccines, they announced that Ferris anticipates receiving doses of the booster shot at some point in the future. The committee encourages those eligible to make an appointment to receive the booster shot. 

The CDC’s website lists schools as a high-risk setting, so it is possible that vaccinated students living on campus may be eligible for the booster shot. Students looking to get vaccinated can make an appointment at Birkam Health Center by calling (231)-591-2614 and selecting option two. 

Those eligible for the booster shot can schedule an appointment at the District Health Department #10 by calling 888-217-3904. An appointment can also be scheduled online at www.dhd10.org/schedule.