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CDC recommends a second COVID-19 vaccine booster

CDC now recommends that certain immune compromised people and people 50 and older get a second Pfizer or Moderna mRNA booster if it has been at least four months since their first booster. Adults who received a primary vaccine and a booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine are also eligible for a second booster at least four months after their first booster using an mRNA vaccine. The revised recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations and recognize the vaccine and booster effectiveness.

New federal website for local COVID-19 information

COVID.gov is a new one-stop website to find community information on COVID-19 risk levels. You can locate free vaccination and testing sites, N-95 masks, COVID-19 at-home tests, and locations of the new Test-to-Treat program. This new program offers free testing, and if the test is positive and a health care provider decides it’s necessary, free antiviral pills.

Jaime Fergie, M.D.

Welcome Dr. Jaime Fergie to the CEAL Scientific Pathway

Jaime Fergie, M.D., director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, is the latest member of the CEAL Scientific Pathway. Check out and share the HHS’ “Ask a Doctor: Why Is It Important to Get a COVID Vaccine?” where he talks about the importance of vaccines.

Watch Dr. Fergie’s video in English

Watch Dr. Fergie’s video in Spanish

The State of Black America and COVID-19

The Black Coalition Against COVID published a recent report with steps to support equitable COVID-19 care and sustain recovery efforts for Black communities. The action steps include improving funding for local community efforts, ensuring that local public health departments provide race and other demographic data, and boosting research education and recruitment efforts with Black scientists and research institutions.

Events and Key Conversations

CEAL events promote community engagement, inclusion in research, and COVID-19 vaccines. Also find key conversations, including town halls and panel discussions, on our Events page.

Upcoming Events

COVID-19 Gamechangers: Trusted Messengers Giving Communities a Boost!

April 20 | 2 - 3 p.m. ET

This program is co-hosted by the HHS Office of Minority Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities as part of National Minority Health Month. Use #NMHM22Chat to participate in the English chat led by @NIMHD and the Spanish chat led by @OMH_Espanol.