Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided updated interim guidance authorizing individuals who are at highest risk for COVID-19 to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection.
The updated CDC guidance followed authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of a single booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine for certain populations, which was issued Sept. 22.
In accordance with the updated guidance, the CDC recommends:
People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine.
People aged 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine.
People aged 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks.
People aged 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (e.g., first-responders, individuals who work in an educational setting, manufacturing workers, etc.) may receive a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks.
The FDA and CDC have not yet authorized boosters for recipients of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or those who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities
In partnership with the Monongalia County Health Department, WVU will continue to host weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus:
When: Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: WVU Student Recreation Center (lower gym)
No appointment is necessary. Free parking is available in lot ST-4.
At this time, the clinics only will offer the Pfizer vaccine. Those who are interested in receiving a vaccine may visit a clinic during operating hours.
Vaccines will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. First and second doses as well as booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine will be available at the clinic. Children aged 12 to 17 are eligible to receive a vaccine at the clinic if they are accompanied by a legal guardian.
In addition to the weekly vaccination clinics, WVU Medicine Student Health has the Pfizer vaccine available for WVU students at its clinic in the Health and Education Building. Walk-in appointments are offered during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
The Monongalia County Health Department also is offering free vaccinations by appointment on most days at their facility at 453 Van Voorhis Rd. Anyone who wishes to be vaccinated can call the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5119 to schedule an appointment.
Other vaccination opportunities can be found at vaccines.gov. Vaccines continue to be readily available across the country.
At this time, WVU students and employees are not required to be vaccinated. However, those on the Health Sciences Campus involved in patient care, including residents, fellows and students, are required to follow separate WVU Health System policies, including those related to COVID-19, such as masks, PPE and vaccinations.
The University strongly recommends all students and employees be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Anyone with questions about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is encouraged to speak with their primary care physician or a representative from WVU Medicine Student Health.
Vaccinated students and employees — including those who had received the vaccine from a WVU or WVU Medicine vaccine clinic — must verify their vaccine status by entering their information into the Vaccine Verification System.
Visit the Return to Campus website for more information and the latest COVID-19 updates.
WVU Health Sciences also has updated the coronavirus.wvu.edu website to reflect the most up-to-date information on vaccines and the Delta variant.
Contact covidvaccine@mail.wvu.edu with any questions.