Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended certain populations receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series. In addition, the CDC Director recommended a booster dose for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

NOTE: Booster shots are available to people who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines only. Booster shots for individuals who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine have not yet been authorized.

The recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings 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.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized as a booster dose, and the above recommendations will only apply to individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their primary series.

We will begin administering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to eligible Pfizer patients beginning Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. Individuals will be required to bring their CDC vaccination card as proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If an individual does not have a CDC vaccination card, we will validate their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination through our database.

Walk-ins are available but appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized. If you are eligible, click here to find a vaccination site near you and to schedule an appointment.

Our Buford and Norcross Health Centers will halt all clinical services until further notice so our staff can support the COVID-19 response. WIC services will continue to be offered at these locations. 

For more information on these recommendations, please visit:

• https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html
• https://dph.georgia.gov/press-releases/2021-09-24/georgia-dph-follows-federal-recommendations-covid-booster-shots