Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals. The FDA’s authorization was followed by a recommendation and updated booster guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, as well as local clinics and pharmacies, are offering second booster doses. If you are eligible, make an appointment for a second booster dose at myturn.ca.gov or vaccines.gov.
The FDA’s latest amended emergency use authorization applies to the following groups:
A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine may be administered to people 50 years and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be administered to people 12 and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. A second booster dose of the Moderna vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise. The CDC also recommends an additional booster for anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and have already received a booster dose at least 4 months prior. COVID-19 continues to decline in San Bernardino County from a high of 31 percent in January to 1.2 percent this week. Let’s keep those numbers dropping.
In addition to second boosters, the federal government launched a new website with information about vaccines, testing, masks, and the level of COVID-19 spread in communities. Visit covid.gov for more information. If you or someone you know has questions about COVID-19 in San Bernardino County or are interested in learning more about the free COVID-19 testing or vaccine services that may be available to you, please visit the county’s website at sbcovid19.com or call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at 909-387-3911.
