East Wenatchee, WA – The Washington Department of Health announced the approval to expand criteria of eligibility for booster (third) dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This is following a statement made by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommending certain populations receive a booster at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series.

The CDC and the Western States workgroup recommend:

• People 65 years and older should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series.
• Residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series.
• People aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series.
• People 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.