On Friday, the CDC recommended that people 65 years and older, residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings, and 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 completing their first 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC also recommends that people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions, people aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine.
People can talk to their healthcare provider about whether getting a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot is appropriate for them.
The rollout will rely on the honor system — to prevent non-eligible people from getting boosters, according to the CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and health care workers as previously detailed by the CDC*
- First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
- Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
According to various news releases (these locations are subject to change), those eligible for receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine, may receive the vaccination at the following locations:
- CVS
- WalMart and Sam’s Club
- Walgreens
- Winn-Dixie
“As CDC Director, it is my job to recognize where our actions can have the greatest impact,” Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, CDC Director said in a statement late Thursday night. “At CDC, we are tasked with analyzing complex, often imperfect data to make concrete recommendations that optimize health. In a pandemic, even with uncertainty, we must take actions that we anticipate will do the greatest good.”