Boosters available for eligible residents
October 26th, 2021 – Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott announced recently that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be offering the Moderna vaccine for the first time in more than six months at its COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday, October 28, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
The county, which offered the Moderna vaccine to Suffolk County residents from January through March, has been offering only the Pfizer vaccine in the ensuing months this year. As many residents who received their first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine are now eligible to receive a third or booster dose, the county recently procured a supply of Moderna vaccines to accommodate those who wish to receive their additional dose at this time.
“Suffolk County has made a commitment to protect our residents from COVID-19,” said Dr. Pigott. “Vaccines are all highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, and they are our way out of this pandemic. We urge all who are eligible for third or booster doses to get them as soon as possible.”
Data show that administration of a booster shot may result in increases in antibody levels and may result in increased effectiveness compared to primary vaccination. The FDA and CDC have determined these booster shots are safe and effective, based on the latest data and evidence, after a thorough, independent, and transparent review process.
CDC recommends moderately to severely immunocompromised people consider receiving an third dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.
In addition, the CDC and New York State Department of Health have recommended that certain individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their initial series get their “booster dose.”
These individuals include persons who are 65 years and older and individuals who are 18 and older who live in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, or who work or live in high-risk settings.
Additionally, booster doses are recommended for individuals 18 and older who received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago. Your booster dose should be given using the same vaccine type received for your initial vaccine series. If the same vaccine type used for your initial series is not readily available, or a different COVID-19 vaccine is desired, any FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine can be used for the booster dose, according to FDA and CDC guidance.
Persons who fit the following criteria should receive the booster:
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J): New Yorkers 18 years and older who received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago.
- Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna: New Yorkers 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 primary series. New Yorkers aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series.
Persons who fit the following criteria may receive the booster:
- New Yorkers aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series. Consult your regular health care provider.
- New Yorkers 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 the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series.
Individuals are advised to consult their medical providers to determine whether or not they should receive an additional dose of COVID vaccine.