Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
I am pleased to write with several updates regarding eligibility for a third dose (booster) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Eligibility for third dose Pfizer vaccine
The New York State Department of Health has issued guidance supporting the FDA and CDC authorization of a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine 6 months after completing the two dose series of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination for the following categories of people.
- Individuals who are immunocompromised (these individuals had previously been approved and have been receiving their third dose vaccine)
- Individuals who meet any one of the following criteria:
- 65 years of age or older
- Residents of a long-term care facility
- 50 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk of severe COVID-19
- 18 to 49 years of age, with underlying health conditions, based on individual benefits and risks
- 18 to 64 years of age whose occupation puts them at high risk of exposure to COVID-19
*As noted by the CDC, individuals who received Johnson & Johnson or Moderna are not able to receive a Pfizer booster. The FDA and CDC are reviewing data for these two vaccines and additional doses.
Vaccine Locations for booster dose:
- New York City Vaccine Finder
- New York State Covid-19 Vaccines
- New Jersey Covid-19 Information Hub
- Connecticut Vaccination Portal
- Sites at CUIMC
*Please note that PCHS has Moderna vaccine for first series vaccination and does not have Pfizer for boosters.
Requirements for booster dose:
Barnard is not currently requiring booster doses. If you have questions about your eligibility or personal health please contact your provider. If you are eligible and receive a third dose of vaccine, please upload the information into the Open Communicator website (as you did with previous doses).
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination:
Annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older and required pursuant to Barnard’s Community Commitment and Personal Responsibility Pledge. Flu vaccine reduces illness, hospitalizations and death from the flu. It is safe to get both COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. Many of the sites listed above for the COVID-19 vaccine as well as drug stores, pharmacies and primary care providers are administering flu vaccines.
We will continue to update you as we gather more information, and you can review this message, previous messages, and additional information on our COVID-19 Vaccine website.
Wishing you health and wellness,
Marina Catallozzi, MD, MSCE
Vice President of Health and Wellness and Chief Health Officer