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COVID-19

COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available at Major Pharmacies

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Major pharmacies in the US have begun offering COVID-19 booster shots, with the latest guidance from the US health officials allowing for the extra dose for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have signed off on booster shots for eligible Americans, with restrictions in place for who qualifies and when. The move aims to expand the number of people eligible for boosters and simplify the process of getting a second dose.

Key Takeaways:

  • Walgreens, Walmart, Sam's Club, and Rite Aid will offer Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J COVID-19 booster vaccines for eligible patients.
  • CVS will carry Pfizer and Moderna's booster shot.
  • Eligible patients for a booster shot include those 65 or older, nursing home residents, or at least 50 and at increased risk of severe disease because of health problems.
  • Boosters are also allowed, but not urged, for adults of any age at increased risk of infection because of health problems or their jobs or living conditions, including healthcare workers, teachers, and people in jails or homeless shelters.
  • Moderna's booster will come at half the dose of the original two shots.
  • A COVID-19 booster is recommended for everyone at least two months after vaccination for recipients of the single-shot J&J vaccine.
  • The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules, and the J&J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
  • US regulators have also said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

Statistics:

  • 190 million Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • About 15 million have received the J&J vaccine.
  • The research suggests that the J&J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
  • US regulators have signed off on booster shots for eligible Americans, with approximately 65 million people eligible for boosters under the latest guidelines.
  • Approximately 30 million people are at least 65 years old and are eligible for a booster shot.
  • Approximately 35 million people are at least 50 years old and at increased risk of severe disease because of health problems and are eligible for a booster shot.

Sources:

  • "COVID-19 vaccines: CDC OKs Moderna, J&J and mix-and-match boosters" [1]
  • "President Joe Biden talks COVID-19 booster shots, border crisis" [2]
  • "Pfizer says COVID-19 booster restores vaccine efficacy to 95.6%" [3]
  • "US COVID-19 vaccine donations: Nation marks 200M doses shared globally" [4]

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