Montgomery County Health Officials Now Providing COVID-19 Booster Shots for Additional Group

Montgomery County Health Officials Now Providing COVID-19 Booster Shots for Additional Group

Per Montgomery County:

For Immediate Release: Friday, September 24, 2021

Following an announcement yesterday from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Montgomery County health officials announced today that individuals age 65 and older who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine as well as individuals 18 and older with underlying medical conditions are now eligible to receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine and appointments are available.

Vaccinations are now available at pharmacies, some private providers and County-sponsored clinics.  The CDC does not recommend third doses for any other group at this time, including for those who initially received the Moderna or J&J/Janssen vaccine (except for immunocompromised individuals who can get an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna).

The following groups are now eligible to schedule appointments through pharmacies, primary care physicians and County-sponsored clinics:

• Residents age 65 and older (Pfizer recipients only, at least six months after second dose).
• Residents age 18 and older with underlying medical conditions (Pfizer recipients only, at least six months after second dose).
• Residents aged 18 – 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their jobs. (Pfizer recipients only, at least six months after second dose).
• Residents with compromised immune systems(Pfizer or Moderna recipients, at least 28 days after second dose).

“We need to continue to urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated, as well as continue doing everything we can to protect the community,” said James Bridgers, Ph.D., acting health officer.  “An additional dose for those who are eligible helps provide the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization.”

Residents who fall into the eligible groups should be sure:

• It has been six months or more since your second vaccine shot (28 days for those who are immunocompromised)-check your vaccination card.  For example, if you are eligible and you received your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in late April, you can receive a booster shot in late October.
• To confirm that you received the Pfizer vaccine (except for those who are immunocompromised-you can get an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna)-check your vaccination card.
• Locate a pharmacy, primary care physician or County-operated vaccination site that offers the Pfizer vaccine (except for those who are immunocompromised-you can get an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna).
• Bring vaccination card and identification to your vaccination appointment. If you have lost your vaccination card, find more information on how to get a copy of your record.

Residents will be required to self-certify underlying medical conditions and age when making an appointment.  Visit Maryland’s vaccine locator to find pharmacies, County-operated sites and other providers offering additional doses.  If you need help to make an appointment, please call the COVID-19 call center at 240-777-2982 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find additional information at www.GoVaxMoCo.com.  If you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, get tested.  Find free testing clinics at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.  For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.