Officials with the City of El Paso announced that beginning Monday, Sept. 27, they will begin to administer the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine by appointment to eligible adults who have received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
“Although immunity in the fully vaccinated has been found to be high several months after administration, a booster shot can help strengthen protection against severe disease in populations whose immunity may have started to diminish and who are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 or complications from severe disease,” health officials said.
Individuals are strongly encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Health officials note that this third dose is NOT a booster. The third dose follows 28 days after an initial vaccine series is administered to people who may not have a strong enough immune response after receiving the initial vaccine series.
A booster dose is a supplemental dose given to individuals whose immune response has weakened over time and administered six (6) months after an initial vaccine series is administered.
Individuals recommended for the Pfizer booster are:
- People 65 years and older and residents of long-term care settings should receive a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after their second Pfizer dose
- People 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after their second Pfizer dose
- People 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks
- People 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after their second Pfizer dose, based on their individual benefits and risks.
City officials add:
It’s important to note that this applies ONLY to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and only to people 18 years and older. The CDC does NOT recommend booster doses for recipients of the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines at this time. Mixing and matching vaccine brands is not currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or recommended by the CDC.
The FDA is currently reviewing data for a Moderna booster. If and when the Moderna booster is approved the City will administer accordingly. The FDA has not received an application from Johnson & Johnson for a booster of its vaccine.
The City will administer the Pfizer booster AND the third dose by appointment only at the following locations:
- 301 George Perry
8 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
- El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza
Noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday
- City of El Paso COVID-19 Clinics
8 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
-
- 220 S. Stanton (corner of First and Stanton)
- 7380 Remcon
- 9341 Alameda
- 9566 Railroad
To make an appointment visit EPCovidVaccine.com and click on the registration form. Residents can also call (915) 212-6843.
ABOUT THE THIRD DOSE COVID-19 VACCINE
Third dose COVID-19 vaccine is also available for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals.
A third dose will only be administered 28 days after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals:
- Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune response
Health officials remind the public to continue wearing face covers, wash your hands frequently and watch your distancing, regardless of whether you have or have not yet received the vaccine. Additional information about COVID-19, can be found at www.EPStrong.org.
