We’re Keeping an Eye on the Storm

As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, our team at MD Now is monitoring the storm closely. Our patients and staff are important to us, and clinics will remain open for as long as conditions are safe. To stay up-to-date on clinic hours of operation and the re-opening of our clinics, please check our individual clinic pages for details.

While clinics are closed, we will be offering Virtual Visits. Click here for hours of operation or to schedule a Virtual Visit.

We hope that everyone stays safe.

The Bottom Line on Booster Shots

COVID-19, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines, General Health, In The News, Urgent Care Blog, Vaccinations

Everyone waiting on the arrival of vaccine booster shots could stop holding their breath in mid-November 2021. The CDC expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to all adults on November 19. Before you search, “booster shots near me,” take a minute to learn the ins and outs of enhancing your protection against COVID-19.

The FDA Announcement: It’s Time for a Boost

Per the current recommendations, people age 18 and older who received Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or the J&J/Janssen Single Dose COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot.

Health Factors: Booster Shots for Immunocompromised People and More

Booster shots will be helpful for everyone to protect against COVID-19, but especially for the immunocompromised.

Booster shots for immunocompromised people are important, but there are also many other conditions that can make COVID-19 more serious. The list of conditions below does not include every qualifying condition, but it is a strong start.

These are the conditions that experts are greenlighting for booster shots as of now. If you see your condition listed, a booster shot is recommended to help prevent the likelihood of becoming severely ill from COVID-19.

Cancer
Heart conditions
Diabetes
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
Kidney, liver, or lung diseases
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Tuberculosis
Organ or stem cell transplant
Down syndrome
Pregnancy
Mental health conditions
Smoking or having been a smoker in the past
Obesity
Substance use disorders
HIV
Compromised immunity caused by medication or illness

Risky Business: Jobs that Increase Vulnerability

Vaccine booster shots are more important for those in high-risk jobs. Examples of such jobs include:

First responders, such as EMTs or police officers
Healthcare workers
Retail workers
Postal service workers
Educators and other school or daycare staff members
Food and agricultural workers
Manufacturing workers
Corrections officers
Public transit workers

Maintaining Protection: What I Need to Know About Booster Shots Near Me

The Mixed Approach

Did you know you can mix and match vaccines? Research has shown it’s safe to take any of the booster shots after previously completing full vaccination with another brand of shot. In fact, a recent report revealed that receiving the J&J/Janssen booster shot for people initially immunized with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine produces a strong immune response and may do more to elicit protection against severe disease.

A Novel Virus: Guidance from the Experts

Has trying to keep up with COVID-19 guidance made your head spin? You’re not alone. When navigating a pandemic, it’s normal for new developments to change previously published guidance. While it’s clear the vaccines help, the question is how long the protection lasts.

“Since we are learning about COVID-19 in real-time, this is hard to know,” says Dr. Albert Shaw, an infectious disease specialist at Yale Medicine. “People get confused, or they think something is wrong,” the doctor said, referring to those who’ve lost trust for the vaccines because of the boosters. “The booster question is being worked out as we speak.”

In the meantime, Dr. Shaw recommends those who have not yet received a vaccination, get started now. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

We’re Keeping an Eye on the Storm