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Home > Administration > PIO > Notices > COVID-19: Booster Shots

Booster Shots

October 1, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots will be available at both campuses starting Tuesday, Oct. 5. A Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) nurse strike team will administer the vaccines and booster shots at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses on Tuesday and Wednesday each week: 

Valencia Campus Student Center

  • 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday
  • 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday

Canyon Country Campus Quad 1B

  • 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday
  • 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday

The team will serve patients on a walk-up basis; appointments are not required.

Booster shots will be available to those who have received both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine six or more months ago and who fall in one or more of the following categories:

  • People 65 years and older
  • Residents in long-term care settings
  • People age 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions
  • People age 18 to 64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting | More

Recipients must bring their vaccination cards so the provider can enter information about the booster shot. If you do not have your card and were vaccinated in California, you can obtain a digital record here.

In keeping with the FDA’s authorization for booster shots, the strike team will provide booster shots only to those whose primary series was the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. More information about Moderna and J&J/Janssen booster shots is expected in the coming weeks. We will provide an update if those shots will be made available.

For more information about booster shots, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below provided by DPH.

FAQ: COVID-19 Boosters

1. Who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 Booster?

People 65 years and older, residents in long-term care settings, people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions are eligible to receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series and based on their individual benefits and risks. People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

2. When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster if I am NOT in one of the recommended groups?

Additional populations may be recommended to receive a booster shot as more data becomes available. The COVID-19 vaccines approved and authorized in the United States continue to be effective at reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 constantly changes. Experts are looking at all available data to understand how well the vaccines are working for different populations. This includes looking at how new variants, like Delta, affect vaccine effectiveness.

3. If we need a booster shot, does that mean that the vaccines aren’t working?

No. COVID-19 vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection, especially among certain populations, against mild and moderate disease.

4. What should people who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine do?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC’s recommendations are bound by what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization allows. At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech booster authorization only applies to people whose primary series was Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. People in the recommended groups who got the Moderna or J&J/Janssen vaccine will likely need a booster shot. More data on the effectiveness and safety of Moderna and J&J/Janssen booster shots are expected in the coming weeks. With those data in hand, CDC will keep the public informed with a timely plan for Moderna and J&J/Janssen booster shots.

5. What are the risks to getting a booster?

For many who have completed their primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the benefits of getting a booster shot outweigh the known and potential risks. So far, reactions reported after the third Pfizer-BioNTech shot were similar to that of the 2-shot primary series. Fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the 2-shot primary series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

6. Does this change the definition of “fully vaccinated” for those eligible for booster shots?

People are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine. This definition applies to all people, including those who receive an additional dose as recommended for moderate to severely immunocompromised people and those who receive a booster shot.

7. Can you explain these “permissive” recommendations related to people 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions, and people 18 to 64 who may be exposed due to occupational/institutional setting? How are these different from the other two recommendations?

Adults 18–49 who have underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, as are people 18-64 are in an occupational or institutional setting where the burden of COVID-19 infection and risk of transmission are high. However, that risk is likely not as high as it would be for adults 50 years and older who have underlying medical conditions, or people who live in long- term care settings. With the lower risk, the data do not support that everyone who falls into this group should get a booster shot. Therefore, CDC’s recommendation is not as strong for these populations, but still allows a booster shot to be available for those who would like to get one. People 18 and older who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions or their occupation should consider their individual risks andbenefits when making the decision of whether to get a booster shot. This recommendation may change in the future as more data become available.

8. Will providers accept anyone who says they’re eligible to receive a booster shot? Will people need to show a doctor’s note/prescription or other documentation?

It’s important to note that individuals can self-attest (i.e., self-report that they are eligible) and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered. This will help ensure there are no additional barriers to access for these select populations receiving their booster shot.

9. Will Booster recipients need to bring their Vaccination Card to the appointment?

Yes, recipients must bring their vaccination card to the appointment so the provider can fill in the information about their booster shot. Keep the vaccination card in case you need it for future use. Consider taking a picture of your vaccination card after your booster shot appointment as a backup copy. If you do not have your card and were vaccinated in California, you can also obtain a digital record at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/.

10. What is the timeframe for individuals to receive the Booster?

CDC recommends a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine).

11. Are there additional risks to the Booster shot?

The most reported side effects by the clinical trial participants who received the booster dose of the vaccine were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain and chills. Of note, swollen lymph nodes in the underarm were observed more frequently following the booster dose than after the primary two-dose series.

12. Are Booster formulas being changed to match the different variants?

The third (booster and additional) vaccine doses that are being administered are the same as the initial vaccine doses. In the future, we may see boosters incorporate new viral strains of COVID-19, such as Delta.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
http://www.VaccinateLACounty.com
09/28/21