The Georgia Department of Public Health began administering COVID-19 booster shots at health department vaccination locations Monday, following federal recommendations.
People over 65, residents in long-term care settings, adults with underlying medical conditions and workers at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their jobs all can get a booster shot to fight the virus, as long as they received the Pfizer vaccine for their initial series.
Underlying medical conditions that qualify a person to receive a booster shot include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, dementia or other neurological conditions, diabetes, heart conditions, Down syndrome, liver disease, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, cerebrovascular disease, having had a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, weakened immune system, substance abuse disorders and being a current or former smoker.
Only the Pfizer vaccine has been authorized as a booster dose.
Under the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, fully vaccinated individuals must wait at least six months after receiving their primary vaccination series before getting a booster dose.