New York Announces Pfizer Booster Shots

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced implementation of booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

In accordance with the CDC’s recommendations, which have been endorsed by the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Forcet, here are four groups of New Yorkers who are now eligible for their COVID-19 booster dose, if they have already received two shots of the Pfizer vaccine:

— Those who received the Pfizer vaccine should receive their booster dose at least six months after their primary vaccine series if:

• They are 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings.
• They are 50 – 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions.

— Those who received the Pfizer vaccine may receive their COVID-19 booster dose at least six months after their primary vaccine series if:

• They are 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, based on the individual’s benefits and risks.
• They are 18 – 64 years and are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of your occupational or institutional setting, based on the individual’s benefits and risks.

The booster dose is currently available only to those who have received the Pfizer shots for their initial vaccine series, at least six months ago to be eligible. Thosewho received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not currently eligible for a booster dose.

“While the focus of our vaccination effort remains ensuring all unvaccinated New Yorkers get vaccinated,” said Hochul, “those who are booster eligible should waste no time receiving maximum protection from COVID-19 as soon as possible.”