The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is putting together a checklist for Michiganders to determine their eligibility for a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine or a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
To clarify, the health department says a booster shot is a single booster dose meant to be administered at least six months after an individual completes the primary series of the Pfizer vaccine only.
A third dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines would be administered to anyone who is immunocompromised due to underlying medical conditions or immune-suppressing medications. A third dose would be given to an individual anytime 28 days after completion of their primary series. This would be available who completed their Pfizer of Moderna series.
According to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, no additional shots or booster doses are recommended for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The steps individuals can take to obtain the Pfizer booster dose or a third vaccine are as follows:
Step 1: If you received Moderna, move to step 2. Pfizer only: How long ago did you receive your second dose?
- If less than six months ago, you may be eligible for a third dose. Move to step 2.
- If more than six months ago, you may be eligible for a booster dose. Move to step 3.
Step 2: Eligibility for third dose. (Moderna or Pfizer)
- Are you severely immunocompromised due to disease or immune-suppressing drug therapies, or has your care provider recommended that you receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Has it been at least 28 days since your second dose?
If you answered yes to both of the above questions, you are eligible for a third dose of the vaccination series you previously completed.
Step 3: Eligibility for booster dose. (Pfizer only)
- Has it been at least six months since your two-dose Pfizer series was completed?
- Are you 65 years of age and older or a long-term care facility resident? Are you 50-64 or 18-49 with underlying medical conditions? Are you 18-64 years and at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection because of occupational or residential setting (health care workers, teachers, frontline essential workers)?
If you answered yes to both of the above questions, you are eligible for a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Step 4: Find a location. The Pfizer booster vaccine and Moderna and Pfizer third dose are available at a variety of locations. You can check with local pharmacies (Rite Aid, Walgreen’s, Meijer, others), and your primary care physician. In addition, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan has in each county of its four-county jurisdiction of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego. Those needing assistance to schedule an appointment with the health department can call the Michigan COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136. Pre-registration for clinic vaccination appointments is encouraged.
“As more and more people have become eligible for the booster vaccination, we have added additional clinics and hours,” said Health Officer Lisa Peacock. “I encourage people to pre-register for the date and time that works best for their schedule. And, in addition to the booster shot, we are encouraging anyone 12 and older to get vaccinated as the number of cases, illness and hospitalizations continue to increase throughout our region and the state.”
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has four vaccine clinics coming up in October:
- Monday, October 4th
- 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 220 W Garfield Ave., Charlevoix.
- Wednesday, October 6th
- 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 95 Livingston Blvd.,
- Thursday, October 7th
- 8:15-11:35 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.- Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 205 Grove St., Mancelona.
- Friday, October 8th
- 8:15-11:35 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 3434 M-119, Harbor Springs.
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