Local health care workers promote COVID-19 boosters

With the steady rise of COVID cases in Ingham County, Williamston health care personnel are urging at-risk community members to get their booster shots. 

“COVID-19 is a virus that has mutated very quickly creating more infectious variants with each mutation,” said Pharmacist Amanda Hart. “Getting the first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine drastically decreases your risk of hospitalization and death, but if you finished your two-dose series at the beginning of the year, your ability to fight the newer more infectious variants isn’t as strong as say, someone who just finished their two-dose series last month. Booster doses help bridge the gap and give you added immunity to the two newer more infectious variants.”

Vaccinations in Ingham County

A little over 60% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in Ingham County. In the past seven days, the county has seen a 34% increase in COVID cases and a 22% increase in hospitalizations, according to the CDC. The vaccination level in Ingham County is below the national vaccination percentage of 68%. 

“Vaccines were created to prevent serious illness and death. When you have the option to prevent that from happening, why wouldn’t you?” said Hart. 

Local residents on receiving the booster shot

Ellen Wiginton of Williamston got the booster shot to help protect her immunocompromised husband. 

“(It’s important) to help circumvent the spread of COVID and reduce affiliated deaths,” said Wiginton on receiving her booster shot. 

Booster shot recommended by CDC and physicians 

The CDC recommends the booster vaccine to those who are over 65 years of age, all those between 50 and 64 years of age with underlying conditions, and all those over 18 and living in long-term care settings. 

“There is definitely a direct correlation between your antibodies and your chance of getting infected with COVID or having what’s called a breakthrough infection,” said Sparrow Health System Vice President of Quality and Performance Improvement Paul Entler. “So that’s where, from the studies from the different pharmaceutical companies where they recommended the boosters at a given duration because this is where within their studies they saw antibodies starting to wane in terms of volume and effectiveness and prevention of COVID.”

Williamston citizens can receive the booster vaccination at Central Pharmacy and D&W. 

To those who are still wary of the vaccines, Hart offers this:

“mRNA vaccines are not new, and they are safe. Scientists have been working on mRNA vaccines for decades, which is why they were able to roll out the COVID-19 vaccines so quickly.”

Eligibility for the booster shot

Initially, Pfizer was the only vaccine approved for a booster shot. However, as of Oct. 21, booster shots are available for all three available COVID-19 vaccines. Eligible individuals have the option to choose which vaccination they receive as their booster. 

For those who received Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations, eligible booster shot candidates include those over 65 years of age, those between 50 and 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions, and those that are 18 years of age or older that have an increased risk of contracting COVID, whether that be an underlying condition, high-risk occupation or those living in a long-term care setting. Booster vaccinations can only be given six months after the primary vaccine series was completed. 

For those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccination, booster shots are recommended to those who are 18 years of age and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.