COVID-19 Vaccine Information

tStay Informed About COVID-19 Boosters and Third Doses

Read Our Third Dose and Booster FAQs 

Información Sobre la Tercera Dosis de la Vacuna del COVID-19 y Preguntas Más Frecuentes

We know many of you are waiting for details about booster doses and so are we! As we wait for new guidance, the Health Department is actively planning for all possible outcomes. 

We want to keep everyone informed about what’s going on with the approval process and when booster doses will be available. This is a summary of what we know, what we don’t know, what we are doing, and what you can do now to prepare.  

When will boosters be available?

Approval for booster doses must undergo the same process as when the U.S. originally approved current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, before booster doses can be given, several steps must be completed. Here is a summary of the approval process: 

1. Vaccine Data: Vaccine manufacturers send the FDA important information, including safety and effectiveness data
2. FDA Meeting: The FDA Advisory Groups schedules a meeting, reviews the vaccine report, and develops recommendations
3. ACIP Meeting: Then, the CDC’s advisory panel (ACIP) meets to discuss the FDA’s recommendations 
4. Vote: ACIP reviews and votes on the recommendations and then the CDC reviews recommendations.
5. Guidance: This process will determine who is eligible for a booster dose and when. 

No booster doses for the general public can be given without these approvals.

What We Know

• Pfizer/BioNTech has submitted its COVID-19 vaccine booster data to the FDA and the following meetings are planned:
  • Friday, September 17 FDA Advisory Group met to review Pfizer vaccine data and make recommendations
  • Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday September 23 ACIP meets to review Pfizer vaccine data and FDA recommendations
• The meetings above will ONLY discuss booster doses for Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine
• No meetings have been scheduled for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster doses

What We Do Not Know

When will booster doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson be available?

• Currently, booster doses are only being considered for the mRNA vaccines.
• Moderna - must submit additional data; booster doses will likely not be approved for several weeks. 
• Johnson & Johnson - A separate booster recommendation for individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is expected soon

What is the timeline to receive a booster dose?

• FDA and CDC will provide recommendations for when you should receive a booster after your SECOND dose. Current considerations include 6 and 8 months after a SECOND dose.

Who will be eligible first?

• It is possible boosters will be prioritized for certain people, such as long-term care residents and/or healthcare workers. 
• It is also possible that people over a certain age will be prioritized. The FDA Advisory Group recommended booster doses for those 65 years and older. 

What is the difference between a booster dose and 3^rd dose?

• The term “3^rd dose” is used to describe an extra dose that provides increased protection for those who may have never reached full immunity. 
• Some vaccines can wear off over time and at that point, a “booster” dose is needed to bring protection levels back up.  

Who is currently eligible for a 3rd Dose?

• People with weakened immune systems who already got two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines can get a third dose. These people had weak responses to the original doses of the vaccine.
• This update does not include the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The FDA and CDC are actively working on updating guidance for people who received Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  
• If you are immunocompromised and have questions, please contact your healthcare provider. Immunocompromised Conditions recommended for an additional dose include:
  • Active or recent treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
  • Receipt of solid-organ or recent hematopoietic stem cell transplants
  • Severe primary immunodeficiency
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
  • Chronic medical conditions such as asplenia and chronic renal disease may be associated with varying degrees of immune deficit
• If you have questions about third doses, contact your Healthcare Provider.
  • The Health Department cannot share specific medical advice

• DO NOT schedule a third dose or booster appointment if the above list does not apply to you. If you have already made an appointment in anticipation of Booster approval, please cancel it. Please wait for medical guidance from the FDA, ACIP and CDC before making appointments. This is critical!

How the Health Department is Preparing:  

• Because details about eligibility and timing rely on recommendations from the FDA and CDC/ACIP committee meetings, we are planning for multiple scenarios. Including:
  • Adjusting clinic operations and capacity
  • Monitoring vaccination supplies and resources
• Working with local vaccine providers – primary care, hospitals, and pharmacies to understand options in our community
• Working with state and local officials to identify all available resources and opportunities to support booster vaccinations in our community

Here’s What You Can Do Now

• Follow our website and social media for booster dose updates
• Locate your vaccine card or record – if you’ve lost your card, please reference graphic below
• COVID-19 vaccine is available throughout Chester County. Be prepared by locating  vaccine providers in your area using vaccines.gov. 
• Call or text national hotline for additional information:
  • Call 1-800-232-0233
  • Text your ZIP Code to 438829