I’m trying to figure out if my D20 is eligible for a booster because she lives in a dorm. She has no underlying conditions, just wondering if the congregate living setting was a qualifier. Anyone know?
What I know is that people are self certifying that they qualify for a booster (whether they do or not) and pharmacists are not asking any questions.
There is no shortage of vaccine or of appointments.
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From the CDC website
People ages 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may get a booster shot based on their individual risks and benefits. Adults who work or reside in certain settings (e.g., health care, schools, correctional facilities, homeless shelters) may be at increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19, which could be spreading where they work or reside. That risk can vary across settings and based on how much COVID-19 is spreading in a community. This recommendation may change in the future as more data become available.
I would say yes based on above. This reminds me I should check in with my son on this so thanks for posting.
CDC guidelines are at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html .
If she got J&J first, then anyone age 18 and up is eligible.
If she got Pfizer or Moderna first, there are conditions that are rather vague and broad enough that a very large percentage of people can see themselves fitting into. For example, “People who work or live in high-risk settings ages 18–64 years” who are eligible include “Adults who work or reside in certain settings (e.g., health care, schools, correctional facilities, homeless shelters) may be at increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19, which could be spreading where they work or reside.”
They also said that getting a different vaccine from the previous one is ok, but gave no reasons or guidance on whether to choose the same or different vaccine.
In Chicagoland, providers don’t seem to be checking at all if someone technically meets the CDC booster guidelines (and that refrain is common on the booster thread). There does seem to be enough data to support that living in a congregant setting qualifies, I doubt any provider would turn away a college student who wants a booster (but the student may need to check the box they qualify for a booster especially if booking online).
The pharmacist where I went to get my flu shot told me to get the booster, after I said I technically don’t qualify for the booster but am 6 months out. She said there is plenty of supply, we want shots in arms, and we aren’t the police.
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I was able to sign up at CVS (in Target) without any lies during online registration. (Late 50s, retired, no health risks.). It just wanted my DOB and date of 2nd vaccination. The local store registrations were full, but last night I found another location with appts available next Monday.
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Soon enough, all adults 18&up will probably be eligible for at least the Pfizer booster. I expect the Moderna and J&J boosters will follow suit.
Moderna and JNJ still only have EUA approval for their vaccines, so I doubt full FDA approval for their boosters can happen before full approval for the vaccines. I believe Moderna has filed for full FDA approval of its vaccine, but not JNJ yet.
I didn’t realize that approval for all adults 18&up for a booster shot would require full approval first for Moderna and J&J vaccines, which they don’t have yet. So the EUA couldn’t be amended for Moderna and J&J boosters?
That might be a good reason for Moderna and J&J recipients who don’t fall under the approved groups might want to just get a Pfizer booster. (Although it seems that anyone who wants a booster over age 18 can already get one now.) Or would they not even qualify for Pfizer (technically)?
The EUAs for all 3 companies already include the boosters (with the current restrictions). But what you linked to said Pfizer has filed for full FDA approval of their booster, which would be the next step…one that’s farther away for Moderna and JNJ because their vaccines don’t yet have full FDA appoval. I agree that pretty much anyone 18+ who wants a booster now can get one, so for many this is a distinction without a difference.
I live in Chicago area also and was told the same thing when I got my flu shot.
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