Some Oklahomans Eligible For Pfizer Vaccine Booster Doses Starting Friday

The CDC advisory committee met Thursday to make their final recommendations for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for Americans.

With final recommendations made, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced they are ready to roll out booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for those who are eligible.

OSDH officials estimated about half a million Oklahomans could get the booster dose, but people who are eligible are only those who got the Pfizer vaccine, not Moderna or Johnson and Johnson's.

"We do hope and anticipate very soon into the future the other manufacturers will have compiled enough data to make their own decisions and see a subsequent recommendation about other vaccine manufacturer booster," said Buffy Heater, assistant deputy commissioner for personal health services at OSDH.

Until then Heater said it's for a few groups who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

The CDC recommended those 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings plus people aged 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions should get a booster.

For others eligible, that is people aged 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions and people aged 18 to 64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, like health care workers.

The CDC recommended they may receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks.

"Cancer and transplant patients," said Heater. "Folks with high blood pressure hypertension, diseases of the heart and lungs. It is a very broad category for underlying conditions."

Heater said this rollout is exciting, but the highest priority remains focused on those who are unvaccinated.

"While we want to make sure that continued protection is there for groups that are at high risk, just as important are those new individuals to come to the vaccinated ranks," said Heater.

Heater said if you think you may be eligible or have any questions about if you should get the booster, to discuss it with your primary care provider or medical provider.