Updated 1/12/2022
Sleepy Eye Medical Center offers COVID-19 vaccine boosters shots for people who are eligible based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A booster shot may be administered when a person has completed their vaccine series and protection against the virus has decreased over time.
Eligibility
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot 5 months or more after their initial series:
- Everyone 12 years and older
- Note: The Pfizer booster is available for moderately or severely immunocompromised children ages 5-11, 28 days after their second shot.
For individuals who received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot 5 months or more after their initial series:
- Everyone 18 years and older
For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
“Receiving another vaccine dose strengthens one’s immunity, as we know that immunity wanes over time whether from vaccination or natural infection. A boost in immunity is especially important for patients who are at risk for severe illness from Covid infection, and also those whose jobs expose them to a large portion of the public,” said Dr. Karlyn Armbruster of SEMC.
Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Why Get a Booster?
Available data shows that all three COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, reduce the spread of the virus, and help prevent new variants from emerging.
“The way to the end of this pandemic is to stop the spread of the virus. We must limit the number of people who can become sick and spread the virus. Gaining immunity through vaccination is the fastest, safest and most effective way to get there,” said Dr. Karlyn Armbruster.
Scheduling Your Booster
To schedule an appointment to receive a booster shot or additional dose at SEMC, individuals can call 507-794-8453 or complete SEMC’s online vaccine list form, www.semedicalcenter.org/semccovid19vaccinelist/. SEMC does not have Johnson and Johnson boosters; however, individuals may contact Brown County Public Health at 507-233-6820 if interested in this booster. Previous Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipients may, however, choose Moderna or Pfizer as their booster.