2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster available

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration, are now offering a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot to individuals aged 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised individuals.

Eligible individuals can obtain a booster shot by walking into the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center mass vaccination site, Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm, and requesting the additional dose.

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at select private clinics, such as Medical Associates of the Pacific, Kagman Isla Community Health, Marianas Medical Center, as well as the following CHCC outpatient clinics: Tinian Health Center, Rota Health Center, Family Care Clinic, Children’s Clinic, and Women’s Clinic. Contact each clinic for more information.

Eligible individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID- 19 vaccine may receive a second booster shot at least four months after completing their first booster. The second booster shot must be an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

Individuals considered moderate to severe immunocompromised (weakened immune system) include people on chemotherapy or people who have had a solid organ transplant. For more information regarding who may be eligible for a second booster shot, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. The list presented does not include all possible conditions that put a person at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Individuals who have questions about booster doses should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and whether getting a booster shot is appropriate for them.

For more information on receiving a booster shot, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.

The COVID-19 vaccines approved and authorized in the U.S. continue to protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying—especially people who have received a booster.

Adverse reactions reported after getting booster shots were similar to the primary series/shot. Fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the 2-shot primary series, serious side effects are rare but may occur. (PR)