The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated COVID-19 vaccination guidelines to allow a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna for individuals over the age of 50; those who received Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine as their first shot and booster; and those 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
The CDC states that "the option for eligible people to receive a second booster dose and the timing of that dose can be informed by the clinical characteristics, behaviors and preferences of the person, and the clinical judgement of the health care provider."
Among people who are eligible for a second booster dose, the following people might consider getting the second booster dose as soon as possible (such as 4 months after their first booster dose):
- People with underlying medical conditions (including age over 65 years) that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease
- People living with someone who is immunocompromised, at increased risk for severe disease, or who cannot be vaccinated due to age or contraindication
- People at increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, such as through occupational, institutional or other activities (e.g., travel or large gatherings)
- People who live or work in or near an area where the COVID-19 community level is medium or high or are traveling to such an area
Here is what you need to know about how you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at VUMC.
- You can schedule a vaccine appointment through My Health at Vanderbilt, which will allow you to select from available locations. (COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer available at VUMC walk-in clinics.)
- If you (or any patient 12 years and older) are already on campus for other appointments, you can go to the following locations for a walk-in vaccination without an appointment:
- Main campus: Medical Specialties Clinic, 2nd floor of The Vanderbilt Clinic (TVC)
- One Hundred Oaks: 3rd floor of the COVID Services Site
- You can go to vaccines.gov for various locations across the community.
Read more in the VUMC Reporter article here.