Sanford Sheldon Medical Center recently issued the following announcement.
More patients are now eligible to receive an added layer of protection against COVID-19.
Recently, both the CDC and FDA approved booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccines for all adults.
Doses explained
In an email sent to Sanford Health clinicians, Chief Physician Jeremy Cauwels, M.D., explained who’s eligible for what vaccine.
Patients 18 and older who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines are now eligible for a booster, if it’s been at least six months since their second dose.
Patients 18 and older who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are eligible for a booster, if it’s been at least two months after their first dose.
Additionally, mix-and-match doses have been approved by the FDA and CDC. Patients do not have to get the same brand of booster as their original shot.
Added protection
Jeffry Meyer, M.D., a Sanford Health family medicine specialist, said providers have been seeing more breakthrough cases — meaning individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may still contract the illness. However, because of previous vaccinations, many of the cases “are quite mild.”
“But for some people who are at high risk, it could not be so mild. So, a booster shot would seem to help prevent that,” said Dr. Meyer. The majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated individuals, he added.
ENLARGE
As of Nov. 2, the FDA and CDC recommend COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 and older. Check whether you're due for another dose.
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Dave Munson, former mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received his booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine Sept. 28.
He said he decided on the booster shot because he wants to make sure he, and everyone, stays as safe as possible.
“It’s to try and protect all of the people in society. I think that’s the important part we want to look at. It’s not just me. Yes, it’s going to protect me, but hopefully I’m not a carrier where I spread it someplace else. I’d hate to do it,” said Munson.
“I’ve read cases where people haven’t had the vaccines, and then they’ve gotten the virus and it’s not a pretty picture,” he added.
Low risk, high reward
Some unvaccinated individuals have stated concerns around the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The thoroughly tested vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective, with manageable side effects.
Munson said he respects each person’s individual choice, but he’s hopeful unvaccinated individuals will soon decide to become vaccinated.
“You’re going to be fine. You’re going to be fine. There’s really nothing to it. It’s the simplest thing you can do. I think for trying to slow down the horrific (virus), whether it’s the delta (variant), I think it really helps you.
“If you have to go back annually, who cares. I’d go annually anytime to do it. I think the benefits outweigh any negativity that they talk about,” he said.
Schedule your shot
Dr. Meyer said Sanford Health has “plenty” of vaccine. He said there was some road bumps earlier in 2021 with vaccine availability, but the health care system is equipped to offer shots to any patient.
“We have multiple locations that patients can get it at. All of our clinics have it, many of the pharmacies have it,” he said.
Patients can contact their primary care provider to schedule an upcoming COVID-19 vaccine dose, or can do so through the My Sanford Chart app.
Sanford Health has also turned the Sanford Imagenetics building in Sioux Falls into a COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic on Saturdays.
Original source can be found here.
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