Vaccine booster shots available
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine receives FDA approval
OROVILLE >> Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine received full approval for individuals 16 and older from the United States Food and Drug Administration.
A third dose, also known as a booster dose, for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised has also been approved.
The vaccine is still under emergency use authorization for people ages 12 through 15.
Third doses of Pfizer and Moderna may be given 28 days or more after a person completes the initial two-dose series, Butte County Public Health announced in a press release. Currently, persons who received the Johnson & Johnson are not recommended to receive additional doses.
Persons who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should consult with their health care provider before getting their third dose. Those getting a third dose should get the same vaccine as their first two doses and may self-attest that they are immunocompromised — no documentation will be required.
According to the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those considered immunocompromised are: persons receiving cancer treatment, persons taking immunosuppressive medications for cancer treatment, stem cell transplants and other health conditions, persons with advanced or untreated HIV and persons with primary immunodeficiency syndromes.
A third dose is an important step for those who are immunocompromised, as they may not have responded to the first two doses in a way that provides them the same level of protection as someone who is otherwise in good health, Butte County Public Health added in the release.
Butte County Public Health said it is waiting for direction from CDPH and the CDC about when a third dose will be available to the general public. A third does is likely to be recommended for anyone not immunocompromised at least eight months after being fully vaccinated since recent studies have shown a person’s level of antibodies may decline over time, Butte County Public Health said.
Butte County Public Health said it urges anyone who has not yet gotten vaccinated to do so as soon as possible and for anyone who may have missed their second does to reschedule as soon as possible.
“Getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is the safest choice everyone can make to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death,” Butte County Public Health said.
As of Aug. 20, the Butte County Public Health dashboard indicated that there were 502 active COVID-19 cases in the county. Currently 71 people are currently hospitalized and 205 Butte County residents have died from COVID-19.