BHSJCHA To Begin Offering ALL Booster Doses!

Tuesday October 26, 2021

Check the criteria to make sure you are eligible.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency will begin offering all manufacturer’s vaccine booster doses to residents who meet at least 1 of the following criteria:

For those who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as their primary vaccine with the second dose being at least 6 months ago
You are eligible for a booster dose if you are:

• An individual who is age 65 or older

• An individual who is age 18 or older with underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• An individual who is age 18 or older who lives in a long-term care setting, considering their individual risks and benefits.

• An individual who is age 18 or older who works in a high-risk setting, considering their individual risks and benefits.

For those who are age 18 and over who received a single dose J&J (Janssen) vaccine as their primary vaccine at least 2 months ago
You should receive a single J&J booster dose.

The CDC definition of high-risks work setting includes:

• First responders

• Education staff

• Food and agricultural workers

• Manufacturing workers

• Corrections workers

• U.S. Postal Service workers

• Public transit workers

• Grocery store workers

“Vaccination continues to be our best protection strategy against severe COVID illness and death,” says Rebecca Burns, Health Officer. “Our team has been working to make COVID vaccination as easy as possible. Vaccine is widely available at local provider offices and pharmacies please make an appointment wherever is most convenient for you.”

“The updated guidance for booster doses should not overshadow the need for unvaccinated individuals to talk with their primary care provider about their risk for COVID-19 illness and the benefits of vaccination. The health agency continues to encourage all residents to begin or complete their vaccine series,” says Dr. Karen Luparello, Medical Director.

As previously recommended, those who are immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 28 days after their second dose to provide additional protection.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Individuals are encouraged to discuss mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccine with their primary care physician.

In order to schedule your booster dose at one of our local offices, please go to www.bhsj.org/scheduling. If you do not have access to the internet or need assistance, please call Your Local Health Department office and press option 7.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment.