Booster Shots Now Available for Older Adults

The FDA has just approved COVID-19 booster shots for people aged 65 years or older. Right now, booster shots are only available to people who received the Pfizer vaccine series. A booster shot is an additional, 3rd shot of the same formula that will increase protection against COVID-19.

As of Friday, many locations in Los Angeles have started to offer Pfizer booster shots. To find out where to receive a booster shot, click here. At this time, booster shots are not available to everyone, or to those who have received either Johnson & Johnson or Moderna vaccines. More information about other booster shots will come soon. For a full list of groups eligible to receive a booster shot, refer to CDC recommendations.

COVID-19 Booster Shots

What is a booster shot?

Booster shots are a third dose of a vaccine you can get 8 months after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series. They are not different formulations but can help grant additional immunity against COVID-19. Many other common vaccines recommend booster shots to offer more protection, including the tetanus vaccine. There are currently no booster shots available for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Why are booster shots important?

All vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective at preventing acquisition of and hospitalizations from COVID-19. Booster shots do not mean that vaccines are not effective.

However, over time immunity against COVID-19 can become less strong. Many new variants have surfaced, and each is better adapted to survive and infect more people. Booster shots give your body more material to better recognize and fight against the virus. Booster shots will be recommended for people 8 months after they have received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines.

When will booster shots be available?

Now, people who are severely immunocompromised, including transplant patients and those receiving treatment for cancer, are eligible to get a booster. This is because people who are severely immunocompromised have trouble mounting an immune response on their own and need more material to reach a level of immunity that others have. Ask your doctor if you think you may qualify.

The Biden Administration has announced a preliminary plan to offer booster shots to other groups like older adults who are vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September.

Is there a booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

There is no booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this time. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was developed and approved later than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, so there is not enough data to tell if a booster shot will be recommended. As more data comes out, it is likely that a booster shot will eventually be recommended.

If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get a booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine?

As of now, no. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines that work differently than the Johnson & Johnson, which is a viral vector vaccine. There is not enough data to support mixing different types of vaccines.

 

How can I get more information?

The COVID-19 landscape is changing every day. For reliable information about booster shots and when they will roll out, please refer to the LA Department of Public Health website or the FDA website.

COVID-19 Vaccination for Homebound Older Adults

Although getting a COVID-19 vaccine is easier than ever now that many pharmacies, grocery stores, and clinics offer walk-in vaccinations, leaving the home can still be challenging for some older adults.

All Los Angeles County residents are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations at home if it is difficult to leave their places of residence. You can request an in-home vaccination over the phone or online, and you will be contacted to schedule a vaccination within 7-10 days.

At this time, you are not able to choose between Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, or Moderna vaccines. However, vaccines are delivered and administered by vaccination partners from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Click here for more information.

How To: Talking to an Older Adult With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

For some, making a decision to get a vaccine may be more difficult than others. Many people and communities may distrust medical and government institutions because of a history of wrongdoing. Others may not want to share their health information or think that clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines were too rushed. Whatever the reason, it is important to encourage you and your family make the healthiest and safest decisions possible.

Here are a few tips that can be tailored to your specific needs:

Understand why they haven’t gotten a vaccine.

• Try your best to listen to and validate their perspective. Many people are scared for their own reasons and feel like their concerns have not been listened to.

Answer questions and direct them to their health care provider as needed.

• If you feel comfortable, answer some of their questions. If you are unsure, help them to talk to a healthcare provider they know and trust. You can do research on FAQ together by referring to trusted sources like the CDC, WHO and our COVID-19 resource center.

• The CDC even has a new myth-busting page so you can talk about common sources of misinformation.

Talk about vaccine safety and efficacy.

• All three COVID-19 vaccines used in the US were developed under emergency orders to combat the deadly spread of COVID-19. Vaccines were produced quickly, but no corners were cut.

• However, each vaccine was tested on up to 40,000 subjects with a range of backgrounds and health conditions even before doses were publicly administered.

• The US has a very trustworthy history of vaccination efforts. It may be helpful to ask your older adult what other vaccines they have gotten in the past, and point to how well they protected them.

• The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are over 94% effective and the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine is 72% effective in clinical trials. Because each vaccine was tested under different conditions, their efficacy cannot be compared. However, they are very effective at preventing severe disease and have already saved thousands of lives.

Talk about your own experiences getting a vaccine.

• Sometimes, it is better to hear about an experience from someone you know! Consider trying our Tell a Friend or Dinner and a Dose programs.

• Getting a vaccine is easier than it has been in the past. Many places offer walk-in vaccinations and most people can also get a vaccine from their trusted healthcare providers. Refer to this website to find your closest appointment.

• Vaccines are free and do not require insurance information or proof of immigration status.

• Talk about the side effects you experienced, and how each step of getting the vaccine felt.

Talk about the benefits of getting a vaccine.

• California has the largest vaccine incentive program in the US called CA Vax for the Win. They are offering $50 visa gift cards to the next 2 million people who complete their vaccinations. In addition, each person is entered to win $1.5 million and $50,000 cash prizes, among other prizes! For a full list, click here.

• While many have said that vaccines will not be mandatory, it is possible that some establishments may require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status to enter. For example, many universities, as well as Universal Studios and other event spaces, may require proof of vaccination to protect their guests.

• Most importantly, getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you and your family from a serious illness! Getting vaccinated can help you return to normalcy, see your loved ones again, and even prevent a third wave of the pandemic.  

COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-up Clinic

St. Barnabas is proud to announce a partnership with Kaiser Permanente. On April 6th-April 10th from 8:00 am to 3 pm, the clinic will provide vaccinations for older adults, caregivers, friends and family over the age of 18.

You can call 213-435-3993 to make an appointment. We are excited to play a role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the safety of older adults! Please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center page for more information about vaccines and how they work.