September 24, 2021
This morning, the CDC released a statement on recommendations for Pfizer booster doses.
The CDC recommends:
· People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
· People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should 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’sCOVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
· 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.
These recommendations are ONLY for those who originally received the two-dose series of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine. Individuals may self-report that they are eligible and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered. Booster doses might be recommended in the future for those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, but these situations were not yet addressed.
With the Delta variant’s dominance and the high number of cases of COVID-19 in the United States, a booster shot will help strengthen protection against severe disease in those populations who are at high-risk for exposure to COVID-19 or the complications from severe disease.
CURRENTBLACK HAWK COUNTY COVID-19 STATUS
9.9% = 14-DayAverage Percent Positive in Black Hawk County
50 = New Positive Cases for 9/24/21
65.4% of Black Hawk County residents (12+) that have received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine as of 9/19/21
Proportion of residents receiving at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine by age (as of 9/19/21)
Ages Percent
12-17 52.2%
18-24 35.9%
25-39 58.1%
40-59 70.5%
60-79 88.4%
80+ 89.9%
VACCINES
COVID-19vaccines are widely available in the community. Visit the Black Hawk County Health Department website or vaccinate.iowa.gov for additional information. Vaccines remain the most powerful tool we have against COVID-19.
TESTING
Iowans have the option for at-home testing and may choose to pick up a test kit from a site in their community or have a kit sent to their home at no cost. Videos demonstrating how to complete a home test can be found on the Black Hawk County Health Department website. Visit testiowa.com for more information. Test kits can be picked up in Waterloo at:
· Peoples Community Health Clinic: 905 Franklin Street, Waterloo
· ACE-SAP Free Clinic: 207 Logan Avenue, Waterloo
Testing is offered throughout the community at pharmacies and health care clinics including MercyOne, Peoples Community Health Clinic and UnityPoint Health along with local and national pharmacies.