DOH: HEALTH ADVISORY Booster dosing of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines after an initial 2-dose Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine series

SUMMARY (PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FULL LETTER)

On September 24, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
released a statement on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’
(ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine booster recommendations endorsing the following
ACIP recommendations for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19
vaccine in certain populations and additionally recommended a booster dose for
those in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

CDC recommends:
o People 65 years and older and residents of 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,

o 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.

o 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

o 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.
A patient’s clinical team is best able to assess booster eligibility and timing, clinical
status of underlying medical conditions, risk of complications, comorbidities, and
transmission/exposure/infection risk.

(PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FULL LETTER)

Information including:

• background,
• Clinical Considerations for Pfizer booster mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine
  Administration
• Booster versus Additional Dose Terminology
• COVID-19 Vaccine Timing with other Immunizations
• Testing Considerations
• Additional Considerations regarding Mixed Series Vaccines
• Continued Reinforcement of the Need for Prevention Measures and Mitigation Strategies
• Fully Vaccinated Status
• Resources

For additional questions about vaccines or immunization recommendations, contact the
NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization via email at immunize@health.ny.gov or by phone at (518)
473-4437.