Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
New Recommendations on Second COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose:
On Tuesday March 29, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for immunocompromised and older individuals. Following this FDA approval, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations. In addition to the FDA approval, the CDC recommends adults who received the primary Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose at least 4 months ago are eligible to receive a second dose using an mRNA vaccine based on new research.
Eligibility for second booster dose of COVID-19 approved vaccine for individuals who received their first booster dose of any authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months prior:
- Age 12 years and older who are immunocompromised, have undergone solid organ transplantation, or live with conditions causing similar level of immunocompromise (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine)
- Age 18 and older who are immunocompromised (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine)
- Age 18 and older who received a primary and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine)
- Age 50 years and older (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine)
This approval comes in light of current evidence suggesting that older and immunocompromised individuals experience diminishing protection over time against severe disease, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. There is evidence suggesting mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine) improve protection against severe COVID-19. In addition, current research does not indicate any new safety concerns.
After review of the new research, FDA approval, and CDC guidance, the USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) has updated our recommendations as well. We believe it is important to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable, the immunocompromised and elders, within the Tribal Nations we serve, and that the additional booster doses support this aim.
Vaccine Approval for Children <6:
Moderna announced last week that they are filing for FDA approval for its pediatric vaccine. There has been no update on the Pfizer filing since FDA postponed it’s meeting to review the application in February.
Neither the FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) nor the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has scheduled meetings to discuss pediatric vaccines. Approval from both committees is required before the vaccines are available for use. The TEC speculates that the review/approval process for the Pfizer and Moderna pediatric vaccines will occur simultaneously, and we’re hopeful that more information will be forthcoming in April.
New COVID-19 Website: FQHC & IHS Test-to-Treat Facilities:
Today, on March 30, 2022, the Biden administration launched a new, all-inclusive website for resources on COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, masks, and updated information on the community level. COVID.gov
incorporates a Test-to-Treat locator to assist in accessing tests and treatments. These locations
are available in over 240 Federally Qualified Health Centers and Indian Health Service Facilities with additional locations to be added in the upcoming weeks.
These tools are also available over the National Hotline at 1-800-232-0233, and the Disability Information and Access Line at 1-888-677-1199 or via email at DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
The USET TEC is available to assist with any questions on this guidance or other concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us at usetepi@usetinc.org.
Additional Resources:
Information on COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC Quarantine & Isolation Calculator
USET/USET SPF COVID-19 Resources
National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
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