Knox County- The Knox County Health Department will be following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommendations for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and a booster dose for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings at least six (6) months after their initial primary series.
According to the CDC a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who build enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity).
CDC recommends that following groups receive boosters:
people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings.
people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions
Additionally, CDC recommends the following groups may be considered for boosters.
people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions and
people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting a booster dose is appropriate for them.
“We continue to fight against COVID-19. With case counts continuing to increase, we want to continue to provide the most protection for Knox County residents,” states Wil Hayes, Assistant Public Health Administrator.
Those seeking a booster dose in Knox County will not need to provide proof that they fall into the booster dose categories but must bring their vaccination card. Booster Dose vaccines will be offered at ALL Knox County Unified Command Vaccine Clinics and events that offer the Pfizer vaccine.
Credible sources for information about COVID-19 include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or call your Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224 or email covid19@knoxcountyhealth.org.