The Fort Sam Houston COVID-19 Vaccination Site and Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will offer the booster shot for Pfizer recipients according to CDC recommendations starting Oct. 7.  For information on JBSA vaccination sites, hours of operation and appointments, visit https://www.jbsa.mil/coronavirus <https://www.jbsa.mil/coronavirus>

The CDC recommends that the following groups SHOULD receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer- primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine):

A single booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after a 2-dose primary series of the Pfizer vaccine:

*         Should be given to persons aged ≥ 65 years and long-term care facility residents aged ≥ 18 years.

*         Should be given to persons aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions.**

The CDC also recommends that the following groups MAY receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after completing their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks:

*         People ages 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions,** based on an assessment of their individual benefits and risks.

*         People ages 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational (e.g., health care workers, teachers, day care staff, and grocery workers) or institutional (e.g., homeless shelters and correctional facilities) settings based on an assessment of their individual benefits and risks.

**Underlying medical conditions include cancer; cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, chronic kidney, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2; obesity (BMI ≥ 30); pregnancy and recent pregnancy; and smoking (a history of or currently). For questions regarding medical conditions, please consult with your PCM team.

ONLY THOSE THAT MEET THE BOOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS AND RECEVIED PFIZER ARE AUTHORIZED A BOOSTER WITH PFIZER.

No booster is authorized at this time for those who completed their primary series with Moderna or J&J. Only those who meet the booster recommendations and received Pfizer vaccines are authorized a booster at JBSA sites.

Please keep in mind that this is the first group of people eligible. The FDA and CDC will continue to evaluate data over the coming weeks and make determinations for additional populations going forward, including people who received the Moderna and J&J vaccinations. For more information on the booster shot, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html>

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. 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. Beneficiaries can make a same-day appointment on TRICARE Online or by calling the appointment line (210-916-9900).