N.Y. unveils Pfizer COVID-19 booster plan and new website

ALBANY | With some of New York's population now eligible for Pfizer booster vaccines, New York has unveiled plans to expedite the doses while also encouraging all residents to stay up to date on recommended vaccines, including for the seasonal flu. On Sept. 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the implementation of booster doses into the state's COVID-19 vaccination program, hoping for an efficient rollout to those currently eligible. "Our top priority remains staying ahead of this constantly changing virus and protecting New Yorkers with effective, long-lasting vaccines," Gov. Hochul said. "As we've heard from our federal and state medical and health experts, as with many other vaccines, the protection from the COVID-19 vaccine can wane over time. A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will help particularly at-risk New Yorkers stay protected from the virus for longer. While the focus of our vaccination effort remains ensuring all unvaccinated New Yorkers get vaccinated, those who are booster eligible should waste no time receiving maximum protection from COVID-19 as soon as possible." In accordance with CDC's recommendations, which were officially endorsed by New York Sept. 24, there are four groups of New Yorkers now eligible for COVID-19 booster doses. Pfizer vaccine recipients are now eligible for a booster dose if they are 65 and older or residents in long-term care facilities or are 50-64 of age with underlying conditions. Pfizer booster shots can also now be given to those 18-49 years old who have qualifying underlying medical conditions and if they are 18-64 years and at increased risks for COVID-19 exposure in occupational or institutional settings. Individuals must have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for their initial vaccine series at least six months ago to be eligible. Individuals who received the Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine are not currently eligible for a booster dose at this time. "The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be remarkably effective at preventing severe cases and hospitalization," Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said Sept. 27. "After reviewing data from New York State, across the United States and around the world, our federal and state health experts including New York State's Clinical Advisory Committee agree: more vulnerable New Yorkers can keep their protection up by getting a booster dose at least six months after they complete their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series." Zucker said there are many vaccines that require more than one or two doses for lasting protection, including tetanus, measles-mumps-rubella and Hepatitis A and B. Free booster doses are already widely available statewide at state-run mass vaccination sites, pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. As part of these efforts, the state launched a new website with information about booster doses, additional doses, eligibility, frequently asked questions, and resources for providers on the ground to support in the dissemination of information to eligible populations. Additionally, $65 million in funding to county health departments to build the infrastructure needed to support the quick and reliable distribution of booster doses. The state is also reminding New Yorkers to receive all seasonal vaccines during this time - including flu vaccines and said the COVID-19 vaccine and/or a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can be received at the same time as the seasonal flu shot.

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N.Y. unveils Pfizer COVID-19 booster plan and new website

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