Booster shot recommended

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that certain populations who have increased risk of exposure to, or transmission of, COVID- 19, receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine, at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“Our nation’s leading medical experts reviewed the available data and recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses be provided to some people who have received the Pfizer vaccine,” said DHS secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Booster doses are another tool at our disposal to stop the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant and slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities throughout Wisconsin.”

It’s recommended people 65 years and older get the booster shot, as well as all residents in long-term care; people ages 50-64 years with certain underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic kidney and lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The shot is also recommended for those with pulmonary hypertension Dementia or other neurological conditions; diabetes (type 1 or type 2); Down syndrome; heart conditions; HIV infection; an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system); and liver disease.

Those who are overweight, pregnant, who have sickle cell disease or thalassemia; smoke, or who have had solid organ or blood stem cell transplants, should also receive the booster.

The DHS recommends that the following populations may receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their individual risks and benefits:

• People ages 18-49 years, with certain underlying medical conditions (see above).

• People ages 18-64 years, who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission, because of their job or institutional settings. Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and healthcare workers.

At this time, the Pfizer booster authorization only applies to people whose primary series was Pfizer vaccine. People in the recommended groups who got the Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, will likely need a booster shot in the near future.

“Booster doses are intended to help people who are vaccinated maintain the highest possible level of immune system protection for as long as possible,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer for the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases. “It’s important to remember that all the authorized COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection after the primary series. Getting every eligible person vaccinated continues to be our most important strategy for preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.”