The FDA and the CDC continue to assess the efficacy and safety of a COVID-19 booster dose for the general population. Until a final decision is made and the DoD receives official guidance, the San Antonio Market is not administering the booster dose to our patients and staff at this time.  However, the FDA is expected to make its decision on the third round of shots soon. Initial reports indicate the FDA will recommend emergency use authorization of a booster dose for individuals 65 and older and those at high risk of severe illness six months after they get their first two shots. We will provide updates as we receive them.

As a reminder, the San Antonio Market is currently offering an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised beneficiaries and immunocompromised staff members at the vaccination site on main post Fort Sam Houston (site details below). For CDC additional dose criteria, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html> .  If you have additional questions or feel you meet the criteria, but your condition is not listed, please contact your provider team.

BOOSTER VS ADDITIONAL DOSE?

People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, an additional dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. That’s why the CDC recommends moderately to severely immunocompromised people consider receiving an additional (third) dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. In contrast, a booster dose refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreases over time.

VACCINE SITES AND HOURS

Beneficiaries can make a same-day appointment on TRICARE Online or by calling the appointment line (210-916-9900). Or, you can stop by without an appointment during weekly walk-in hours.

·         FORT SAM HOUSTON VACCINE SITE: Open Monday through Friday; weekly walk-in hours: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. BAMC team members without military healthcare are welcome to stop by during the designated walk-in hours. BAMC's COVID-19 vaccination site is located in the Training Support Center on main post Fort Sam Houston, building 4110, 2536 Garden Avenue.

·         WILFORD HALL AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER VACCINE SITE: Vaccination hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; walk-in hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.​ WHASC's COVID-19 vaccination site is located at 1100 Wilford Hall Loop, Lackland Air Force Base in the atrium at the C entrance.