People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings (regardless of age) should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
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Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters are now available and recommended as follows:
• 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's COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, 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.
"Rhode Island was well prepared for COVID-19 booster shot administration. I am pleased to see that eligible Rhode Islanders are already stepping up to get their booster shots," said Governor Dan McKee.
"We had the infrastructure and strategy in place to respond swiftly to the approval from CDC, FDA, and ACIP and ensured boosters could be administered as soon as possible. Rhode Island continues to lead the nation in vaccinations and testing and we will continue to lead as we begin administering booster shots."
Eligible Rhode Islanders can now make appointments for booster doses. Demand is expected to be higher for the next six weeks than it has been for the past several months, given the state's very high vaccination rates.
For all Rhode Islanders, 74.8% have received at least one dose and 67.4% are fully vaccinated. For those 12 or older, 85.2% have received one dose, while 76.6% are fully vaccinated.
People are strongly encouraged to make an appointment to get vaccinated, when possible, to ensure that enough vaccine is available at the site and to reduce wait times. ■