Uu Booster Download
Breanne Meisenheimer
Background: On July 30, 2021, the administration of a third (booster) dose of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) was approved in Israel for persons who were 60 years of age or older and who had received a second dose of vaccine at least 5 months earlier. Data are needed regarding the effect of the booster dose on the rate of confirmed coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid-19) and the rate of severe illness.
Methods: We extracted data for the period from July 30 through August 31, 2021, from the Israeli Ministry of Health database regarding 1,137,804 persons who were 60 years of age or older and had been fully vaccinated (i.e., had received two doses of BNT162b2) at least 5 months earlier. In the primary analysis, we compared the rate of confirmed Covid-19 and the rate of severe illness between those who had received a booster injection at least 12 days earlier (booster group) and those who had not received a booster injection (nonbooster group). In a secondary analysis, we evaluated the rate of infection 4 to 6 days after the booster dose as compared with the rate at least 12 days after the booster. In all the analyses, we used Poisson regression after adjusting for possible confounding factors.
Results: At least 12 days after the booster dose, the rate of confirmed infection was lower in the booster group than in the nonbooster group by a factor of 11.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.4 to 12.3); the rate of severe illness was lower by a factor of 19.5 (95% CI, 12.9 to 29.5). In a secondary analysis, the rate of confirmed infection at least 12 days after vaccination was lower than the rate after 4 to 6 days by a factor of 5.4 (95% CI, 4.8 to 6.1).
Conclusions: In this study involving participants who were 60 years of age or older and had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine at least 5 months earlier, we found that the rates of confirmed Covid-19 and severe illness were substantially lower among those who received a booster (third) dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine.
Beneficiaries with Medicare pay nothing for COVID-19 vaccines or their administration, and there is no applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible. In addition, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), nearly all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries must receive coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and their administration, without cost-sharing. COVID-19 vaccines and their administration, including boosters, will also be covered without cost-sharing for eligible consumers of most issuers of health insurance in the commercial market. People can visit vaccines.gov (English) or vacunas.gov (Spanish) to search for vaccines nearby.
Yes, if a person is 5 years or older, the booster doses may be administered as a mix and match (heterologous) following completion of a primary vaccine series. Eligibility requirements and dosing intervals remain the same regardless of which booster dose is selected.
Yes, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record will be updated and will show that a booster vaccine dose has been administered. However, your previously saved vaccine record will not automatically update, so a new version will need to be re-downloaded to reflect that you have received an additional dose and/or booster dose.
The QR code on your digital vaccine record does not automatically update. If you receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you'll have to get a new QR code through the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal.
Yes. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19. The vaccine improves the chances of avoiding the worst outcomes of the virus such as severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Studies have shown that the vaccine can reduce the risk of long COVID and reduces the severity of symptoms if a COVID-19 infection does occur. Following infection, people can receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose when there are no more symptoms, generally about 10 days, or they can choose to delay by three months.
Just as with the initial vaccine series, booster doses went through rigorous scientific review to confirm the safety and efficacy of using subsequent doses to protect against COVID-19. This data was reviewed and compiled from global researchers before being authorized by the FDA.
A booster club for a band, football team or similar group may qualify for a sales tax exemption on its purchases. After receiving exempt status, the club can hold two one-day tax-free sales or auctions each calendar year.
If you have completed your primary (monovalent) series, plus a single bivalent booster dose, no additional booster is authorized at this time for most individuals (see exceptions below)
People ages 18 years and older who have completed a primary vaccination using any COVID-19vaccine and have not received any previous booster dose(s) may receive a monovalent Novavax booster at least 6 months after completion of the primary series if they are unable (i.e., contraindicated or not available) or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time and be less effective against the Omicron variant. However, a booster vaccine dose can increase protection against symptomatic Omicron infection from about 35% to 76%, and can have even higher effectiveness at preventing hospitalizations and death.
No, vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19, including the risk of severe illness and death among people who are fully vaccinated. While COVID-19 vaccines are effective, studies have shown some decrease in vaccine effectiveness against infection over time. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts to protect against COVID-19.
So far, reactions reported after getting the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster shot were similar to that of the two-shot primary series. Fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the two-shot primary series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur. Similarly, reactions after the second dose of the Janssen vaccine were similar to those experienced with the first dose.
Reactions after getting a COVID-19 vaccine can vary from person to person. Reactions reported after getting a booster shot are like those after the two-dose or single-dose primary shots. Fever, headache, fatigue, and pain at the injection site were the most reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. Vaccination protects you from severe COVID-19 infection even if you have side effects after vaccination.
Yes, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 should be given as a single booster dose for all individuals aged 12 and older at least 5 months after completion of the Pfizer primary vaccination series. A second booster is recommended for ages 12 and up who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Yes. However, you should defer getting the booster at least until clinical syndrome has completely resolved.
Talk with your health care provider to help you decide about booster choice and timing.
No. A booster dose of Janssen vaccine is not recommended for you.
You may receive a dose of Pfizer or Moderna as a booster at least two months following the Janssen dose and after the clinical condition has stabilized.
Talk with your health care provider.
You do have the option to receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster at least two months after the Janssen dose. At this time, there is no known increased risk of GBS after Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccination.
Public Health Officials Urge Parents to Protect Children from COVID-19, Flu and Other Respiratory Virus as Pediatric Cases Mount; Illinois Announces 10,416 New Cases of COVID-19 in Past Week
CHICAGO - Following the CDC's recommendation this week of the new bivalent boosters for children five and older, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra is recommending parents and guardians get children vaccinated and fully protected to avoid the most severe effects of COVID-19. Director Vohra is also reminding parents that with flu season underway, they should also take action to protect their children from the risk of serious illness by getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Children can receive both these vaccinations at the same time.
The push to protect children comes as the CDC released data showing that 16 counties in Illinois are rated at Medium Community Level for COVID-19. IDPH is reporting 10,416 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 52 deaths since October 7.
"I was pleased to see the CDC expand updated COVID-19 vaccines to include children aged 5 to 11 years old," Director Vohra said. "This expansion comes at a critical time in Illinois and across the country, as we are seeing a sharp increase in severe childhood respiratory infections resulting in a shortage of available pediatric hospital beds. The updated bivalent COVID-19 booster, along with the flu vaccine, give parents two powerful tools to protect their children from severe illness and hospitalization. With a surge in childhood respiratory illnesses already occurring, and the possibility of diseases like COVID-19 and the flu rising later this fall and winter, now is the best time to get these safe, effective vaccinations."
IDPH is working with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) to encourage physicians and parents to ensure children are fully protected from COVID-19 and the flu. ICAAP is providing resources for doctors and parents HERE.
More than 890,000 Illinoisans have received a dose of the new, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines since they were approved for use in early September, including almost 190,000 doses in the last week. Daily vaccination numbers are at the highest level seen since early February, during the major surge in illnesses caused by the Omicron variant.
IDPH reported that over the last week, an average of more than 27,000 doses of the new bivalent vaccines were administered across the state each day. This is more than double the daily average for all vaccinations for most of the summer. Among the total eligible Illinois population of those 12 and older (until the approval this week for those 5 and older), 10.5 percent have received the new booster. The rate is higher among those 65 and older, at 19.8 percent of the eligible Illinois population.
The CDC authorized two new bivalent booster vaccines on September 2 that include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an added mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older.
The updated boosters are available at pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. The best way to locate a vaccine provider near you is to visit www.vaccines.gov and search for bivalent booster availability.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,784,083 cases, including 35,125 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of last night, 991 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 112 patients were in the ICU and 39 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 82 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.
In counties at the Medium Community Level, persons who are elderly or immunocompromised (at risk of severe outcomes) are advised to wear a mask in indoor public places. They should also get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines or get their bivalent booster, if eligible.
IDPH has been supporting pharmacies and healthcare providers in efforts to increase their inventories of the various FDA-authorized treatments. There are over 1,200 treatment locations in Illinois - including all the major retail pharmacies. More than 96.7% of the state's population is within a 10-mile radius of one of these locations.
A total of 24,240,966 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 29,602 doses, including the bivalent booster and first doses. Since October 7, 207,214 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois' total population, more than 77% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 70% of Illinois' total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 55% of the vaccinated population has an initial booster according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Data indicates that the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to date on their vaccinations. All data are provisional and are subject to change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov. The federal government has established a new website that provides an all-purpose toolkit with information on how to obtain masks, treatment, vaccines and testing resources for all areas of the country at: