This past week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for a third dose to be administered at least six months after the initial series of shots in certain populations. 

On Wednesday, the FDA recommended that the populations that are recommended to receive an additional dose are individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19, and individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of severe COVID-19. 

Yesterday, the CDC Director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’  recommendation for a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in those 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and people ages 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC Director went further and recommended that those 18 through 49 with underlying medical conditions and people 18 through 64 years of ago who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings may receive an additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their initial Pfizer series.

The immunocompromised population in New Jersey has already been eligible to receive a third dose of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines since mid-August. There are 1,658 COVID-19 vaccination locations throughout the state of NJ. A complete list of NJ’s vaccination centers is available online at covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder. 

The homebound population will continue to be served by local and county providers. The intake form can be found at covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax. For assistance completing the survey by phone, individuals can call the NJ COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center at (855) 568-0545. 

Have a good weekend and take care. 

Sarah Neibart

Mayor, Mendham Township