News Flash

For Immediate Release

10/05/2021    

COVID-19 Information

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVID-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Vaccine Information

Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine
Follow Us: www.facebook.com/rowancountyhealth 

Rowan County COVID-19 Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

More About the Pfizer Booster Vaccine

During the past few weeks, you have probably heard and read that certain individuals that has received the initial two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 shot will need to get a booster vaccine. So, does this mean that the initial two Pfizer vaccines did not work like they were supposed to? The answer is simply, “No.” If anything, this booster vaccine will be given as a reminder to one’s immune system as the first two vaccines start to weaken. The good news, however, is that this booster is targeted against any mild infections of COVID-19 and not towards a more severe case, which one is still immune from. 

With CDC’s approval, boosters are now recommended for the following individuals that have gotten both of their Pfizer vaccines at least 6 months ago:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings
• Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings

*Please note, however, that a booster vaccine for the Moderna and J&J vaccines are still being researched and will need the approval of the CDC before becoming available. 

So how is a booster vaccine different from one’s initial series? The primary vaccination series is intended to build an initial immune response. A good way of thinking about this is comparing it to painting inside of your house. If you are lucky enough, you sometimes can get good coverage with one coat of paint; but most likely, you will need at least two coats of paint to get complete coverage. It's the same way with vaccines. Some people might have a great response to one dose, but most people need two doses of the messenger RNA vaccines to get a better response.

Over time and once an individual achieves their initial immunity towards COVID-19, however, their immunity may still diminish somewhat. In other words, they may need another coat of paint down the road when the initial color starts to fade; or in this case with certain populations, as one’s initial vaccines lose some of their strength.

As far as side effects from a COVID-19 booster, it looks like the side effects from a third dose are very similar to what was experienced with a second dose ― not any worse and perhaps a little milder. For most people, they can expect to have the typical vaccine side effects: a headache, feeling tired, having a low-grade fever, and/or having some muscle aches. Even so, these side effects should not be any worse than what one experienced with their 2^nd dose and should resolve on their own within two to three days.

Here locally, the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot is now available at the following locations:

• Novant Health Clinic at the J.F. Hurley YMCA; 8 am to 5 pm Wed. and Friday; Appointments are strongly encouraged and please bring your vaccine card
• Novant Health’s Primary Care Clinics; call your primary physician for more information
• Rowan County Public Health—Clinics Begin Monday, October 4^th; please call to make an appointment at 704-216-8777; Option 3 
• Local Pharmacies: Walmart; Walgreens; CVS; Moose Pharmacy; Medicine Shoppe, Cannon Pharmacy
• Local Grocery Stores: Food Lion

When scheduling a Pfizer booster shot, please realize that you do not have to go back to the same place you received your initial two doses. Any of the agencies or businesses listed above can assist you.  More importantly, we highly recommend that you bring your vaccination card with you. By doing this, the above agency or business can make sure they aren’t interchangeably mixing the COVID-19 vaccines, which is highly discouraged. 

For more information on how to schedule an appointment, please visit any of the listed agencies/businesses’ websites or call them directly.

In closing, we definitely know that the COVID-19 vaccines are helping to prevent severe disease and hospitalizations. Even better yet, since we now have the Pfizer booster for those at a higher risk, it now means that we can reduce those milder infections and those asymptomatic infections, which can easily contribute to the spread of the milder form of COVID-19. 

If it has been over six months since you received your initial Pfizer COVID-19 two-dose vaccine and you qualify for a booster, please do your part and schedule yours soon…if you think about it, it is really no different than what we already do annually against the flu!

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PIO Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - September 28, 2021 (PDF)