SANTA FE - On Monday, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) offered guidance on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster distribution, following a series of steps taken by the federal FDA and CDC last week.
Recommendations:
- CDC recommends that the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine): - people aged 65 years and older - residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings - people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions
- CDC also recommends that the following groups may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks: - people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions - people aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting
- These recommendations only apply to people who previously received a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine).
- Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and health care workers as previously detailed by the CDC: - First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff) - Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers) - Food and agriculture workers - Manufacturing workers - Corrections workers - U.S. Postal Service workers - Public transit workers - Grocery store workers