BPHC Bulletin: Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots

On Thursday, October 21, CDC recommended a booster shot of the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines. See the CDC statement.

These recommendations align with and follow FDA's authorization of:

• The use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to be administered as a booster for certain populations.
• The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 and older who received that vaccine at least 2 months ago.
• The use of all three available COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), and Pfizer-BioNTech) as “mix and match” boosters for people who have completed their primary vaccination.

The guidelines for COVID-19 boosters vary by vaccine. The following resources are available to help health centers understand what this means and assess readiness:

• Updated CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Webpage
• COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Planning Checklist for Health Centers – HRSA collaborated with CDC to create this checklist for health centers with information and tips for boosters, including resources to stay connected, readiness reminders, guidance on vaccine supply and administration, and more.
• Recording of HRSA and CDC’s “Booster Readiness at Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics” webcast (Friday, October 1)

The following upcoming opportunities can also help clinicians learn more:

• What Clinicians Need to Know about the Recent Updates to CDC’s Recommendations for COVID-19 Boosters
  CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Call
  Tuesday, October 26
  2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
  Join the day of the session
  
  The slides will eventually be available under “Call Materials” on the COCA Call webpage, and a recording will be posted on the page a few hours after the event ends.
  
  
• Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
  The webcast will include a segment with Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., the director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, who will provide the latest guidance for health centers on COVID-19 vaccines and other updates on vaccine safety and efficacy.
  
  Tuesday, November 9
  3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
  Join the day of the session