Greenville, N.C. – Oct. 1, 2021 – Community members who received their first two Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses at least 6 months ago and meet the specified criteria below can now schedule a COVID-19 booster shot appointment through Vidant Health by visiting VidantHealth.com/Vaccinate or calling 252-847-8000.
PFIZER BOOSTER SHOT FOR 65+ AND HIGH RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Vidant is offering booster shots to eligible community members in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines. Appointments can be scheduled at Vidant clinics throughout the region if it has been at least 6 months since your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and you meet at least one of the below criteria:
- You are 65 or older.
- You are 18 or older and live in a long-term care facility.
- You are 18 or older, have a medical condition that puts you at high risk for severe COVID-19, and believe the benefit of receiving a booster outweighs the risk of receiving the booster.
- You are 18 or older, are higher risk of exposure due to work or living situations, and believe the benefit of receiving a booster outweighs the risk of receiving the booster.
The booster shot is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals at least 6 months after their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and is not currently authorized for those who received the Moderna vaccine or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
THIRD DOSE FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED – PFIZER AND MODERNA ONLY
In addition to the new booster shot eligibility, Vidant previously announced it is closely following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to provide third doses to eligible community members. A third dose may prevent serious and possibly life-threatening complications of COVID-19 in immunocompromised people who may not have responded to their initial vaccine series.
Appointments can be scheduled at Vidant clinics and oncology practices throughout the region for community members who meet the below criteria:
- You’ve had an organ or stem cell transplant.
- You’re receiving chemotherapy, other treatment for cancer or tumors, taking biologic agents (Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, etc.), taking high doses of prednisone, or taking similar drugs. Many of these drugs are used for treatment of cancer, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis.
- You have a disease that weakens your immune system (like HIV or a primary immune system disease).
- Your doctor told you that you’re immunosuppressed.
The third dose is recommended for immunocompromised individuals at least 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and is not recommended for those who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is also identified by its new brand name Comirnaty.
Please continue checking back to VidantHealth.com/Vaccinate for the latest information on Vidant’s vaccine efforts.