Greenwich Department of Health’s upcoming MODERNA BOOSTER 1ST & 2ND VACCINATION CLINIC, which will be held on Wednesday May 4 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Greenwich Town Hall (lower level).
Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose of m.RNA vaccines (Pfizer or Modena) for specific populations stating that scientific data continues to show waning immunity after receiving the primary vaccination dose series of the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In addition, the risks posed by the Omicron virus sub-variant BA.2 in the US prompted both the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to agree that a second booster dose of either Moderna or Pfizer vaccine would be beneficial.
The BA.2 sub-variant is more transmissible than the original Omicron virus variant, but luckily it does not facilitate severe illness for most people.
The Omicron sub-variant swiftly circulated across the US and is now responsible for almost all new Covid-19 cases. According to the CDC, the Northeast is now reporting a surge in cases and hospitalizations.
As of Friday, April 22, 2022 Greenwich had a total of 12,402 positive Covid-19 cases, which includes about 194 new reported cases of Covid-19 from the week prior. The number of positive cases has been rising from week to week. In the last two weeks the number of new Covid-19 cases reached over 200 cases per week. Many individuals with Covid-19 are vaccinated and/or boosted. The US is experiencing a Covid-19 surge in many states. It is not known at this time if the surge will bring more positive cases in the upcoming weeks.
Due to the recent increase of Covid-19 cases the Greenwich Dept of Health is urging residents, especially those who are immunocompromised, to pay close attention to their personal needs of protecting themselves and their families
(masking, social distancing, etc.) from Covid-19 disease. The sub-variant BA.2 is highly contagious so it is easily transmissible from person to person, especially in the household, in crowded areas both inside and outside.
The State of Connecticut and the Town of Greenwich have high vaccination rates among those who are eligible, however booster vaccination rates are low across the state. Booster vaccine doses have demonstrated their ability to protect against serious illness, hospitalizations and death caused by Covid-19 disease. During the recent Omicron surge in Connecticut which peaked in January 2022, those who were boosted were 21 times less likely to die from Covid-19 disease compared to those who were unvaccinated, and 7 times less likely to be hospitalized.
According to a recent study conducted in Israel and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, second booster doses were given during their Omicron wave (January 2022 – March 2022). The conclusion of the study indicated that the rate of severe Covid-19 disease was 3.5 times lower in the group that received a second booster dose compared to those who received a first booster dose. Protection given by the second booster dose against severe illness lasted throughout the study period even though protection against confirmed infection was short-lived.
The following is a list of eligibility criteria for first and second Covid-19 booster doses.
Moderna Vaccine First Booster Eligibility
Pfizer Vaccine: 12 years and older.
Can receive first booster 5 months after the last shot which completes the primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Moderna Vaccine: 18 years and older.
Can receive first booster 5 months after the last shot which completes the primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: 18 years and older.
Can receive first booster shot 2 months after initial Johnson & Johnson vaccination shot.
Moderna Vaccine Second Booster Eligibility
The FDA and the CDC only support mRNA Covid-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) for use in administering a second booster shot to the following populations:
• People ages 12 years and older who ARE moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
Pfizer Vaccine: 12 years and older.
Moderna Vaccine: 18 years and older.
Examples (not all inclusive) that cause a person to be moderately or severely immunocompromised are: Individuals who are undergoing active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood; those who have received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years; those who received a solid organ transplant; those who are taking medication to suppress the immune system or those who are living with conditions that cause their immune systems to be weakened to a level consistent with other treatments and conditions listed above.
• Adults 50 years and older who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to
receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
• People ages 18 years to 49 years who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised AND who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for their primary single dose series AND who received
Johnson & Johnson vaccine for their first booster dose may receive a second booster dose using Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 4 months after the first Johnson & Johnson booster dose.
NOTE: Healthy people ages 18-49 years who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised are NOT recommended to receive a second booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at this time.
COVID-19 Moderna vaccine booster clinics are for adults 18 years and older. Vaccination clinics are offered by appointment only through the Vaccination Administration Management Systems (VAMS) scheduling program https://guest.vams.cdc.gov/?jurisdiction=CT. Be sure to select Covid-19 vaccine booster dose
for the first booster dose and COVID-19 vaccine second booster dose for second booster dose appointment. Use this link to find other vaccination options:
Moderna Booster First and Second Vaccination Clinic Schedule in VAMS
• Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. in Greenwich Town Hall (lower level).
Moderna First and Second Booster Clinic Requirements – Must Bring to Clinic
• Must be registered in VAMS for attendance at the clinic. Appointments only, no walk-ins accepted.
• Must have proof of CDC COVID-19 vaccination – card or a copy of your vaccination record (digital or
paper). Connecticut residents can retrieve a copy of their vaccination record on the
https://ctwiz.dph.ct.gov/ctwiz_public/Application/PublicPortal.
• Other proof of vaccination status will be accepted however, it must include your name, birthdate, vaccine type, date of booster vaccination.
• Must have identification that confirms who you are as it relates to your proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Must wear a mask in the vaccination clinic, as it is considered a medical setting.
• Must attest that you are eligible to receive a first or second booster dose by signing a declaration.
• Must sit for 15 minutes after receiving the Moderna vaccine booster dose.
If you have any questions, contact the Department of Health. As a result of the number of increased Covid-19 cases, we may not be able to answer your call immediately. Please leave your name and telephone number.
Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
To track the number of COVID-19 cases in Connecticut, use this link: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-data-tracker