Booster shots now available at Kinney Drugs

CENTRAL NEW YORK » Kinney Drugs has announced the availability of COVID booster shots following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Only certain populations initially vaccinated with the Pfizerbiontech or Moderna vaccine can get a booster at this time. The boosters apply mostly to the Pfizer vaccine. Only those 18 and up who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are eligible for Moderna.

In accordance with CDC recommendations, people who meet the following criteria are now eligible to receive an additional (third) dose:

1. Aged 65 years and older or long-term care residents and had two (2) previous doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six (6) months ago; or

2. Aged 18-64 years with underlying medical conditions and had two (2) previous doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six (6) months ago; or

3. Aged 18-64 years who are in occupational or institutional settings where the burden of COVID-19 infection or the risk of transmission are high and had two (2) previous doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six (6) months ago; or

4. Aged 18 years or older and are moderately to severely immunocompromised and have received two (2) doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and at least 28 days has passed since the second dose

According to the CDC, people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may not build the same level of immunity to 2-dose vaccine series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. An additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and to schedule a booster shot, visit www. kinneydrugs.com.

Individuals who received their second dose of a COVID vaccine at a location other than a Kinney Drugs pharmacy or a Kinney Drugs vaccination clinic should be prepared to show proof of vaccination to ensure that Kinney pharmacists can administer a third dose without delay.

At this time, there is no minimum waiting period between other vaccinations (such as flu, pneumonia, and/or shingles, etc.) and a COVID booster, according to the pharmacy. These vaccinations may be given simultaneously.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for the COVID booster.

ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Jan. 10, 2021 file photo, Sarah Gonzalez of New York, a Nurse Practitioner, displays a COVID-19 vaccine card at a New York Health and Hospitals vaccine clinic in the Brooklyn borough of New York.