Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to include many recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccines.
The CDC announcement followed similar actions taken on Wednesday, Oct. 20, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
According to the updated CDC guidance, individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and fall within the following groups are eligible to receive a booster shot at least six months after their initial series:
People aged 65 years and older.
People aged 18 or older who live in long-term care settings.
People aged 18 or older who have underlying medical conditions.
People aged 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings (e.g., first-responders, individuals who work in an educational setting, manufacturing workers, etc.).
The CDC also recommended boosters for individuals aged 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and were vaccinated at least two months ago.
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities on Campus
In partnership with the Monongalia County Health Department, WVU will host weekly Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus each Tuesday beginning Tuesday (Oct. 26) and continuing through Nov. 16.
The Moderna clinics will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday in the WVU Student Recreation Center’s lower gym.
All appointments may be scheduled in advance at book.novelhealth.ai/MCHDC (view instructions). Note: Be sure to select the correct clinic when scheduling your appointment since there will be multiple clinic options. Free parking will be available in Area 49 and lot ST-4.
Vaccines will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. First and second doses as well as booster shots of the Moderna vaccine will be available at the clinic. Be sure to bring your CDC vaccination card with you to the clinic if you are receiving your second dose or a booster shot.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities on Campus
The University will continue to host weekly Pfizer vaccination clinics in partnership with the Monongalia County Health Department on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Student Rec Center’s lower gym.
First, second and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available. Children aged 12 to 17 are eligible to receive a Pfizer vaccine at the clinic if they are accompanied by a legal guardian.
As with the Moderna clinics, appointments for the Pfizer clinics must be scheduled in advance at book.novelhealth.ai/MCHDC. Free parking will be available in Area 49 and lot ST-4.
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.).
Other COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities
The Monongalia County Health Department 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.