August 24, 2021
On Monday, August 23rd, the Food and Drug Administration removed the emergency use authorization from the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 and has officially approved it for use in individuals 16 and up. (It remains emergency use authorization for individuals between the ages of 12 and 15 and for the administration of the third dose for immunocompromised individuals.) This vaccine will now be marketed under the name “Comirnaty” so please do not be surprised if you see the new name in educational materials or memos.
Our next vaccine clinic at Quarryville is scheduled on Wednesday, September 8th. The time and location will be determined by the number of vaccines being administered that day. Along with the newly approved Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine, Hershey Care Pharmacy is able to offer our team members the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as well. If you or your family members wish to be vaccinated, please contact Monica Herbein, 786-5341, as soon as possible. We need a final list of those wishing to receive the vaccine by Friday September 3rd.
If you meet the criteria for being immunocompromised and wish to receive a booster vaccine, you are eligible to do so at this upcoming clinic. Please contact Monica and let her know you would like to receive the booster and confirm you are immunocompromised.
For all other team members and residents, we will be offering the COVID-19 booster at a later date. Individuals are eligible for the booster 8 months following their second vaccine. Residents and team members vaccinated at Quarryville will begin to meet that timeline in October of this year. Please be on the lookout for additional information on the boosters as we continue to approach that time.
Additional information will be forthcoming regarding the recent COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing homes as we continue to wait for additional guidance. We encourage anyone who was waiting for official FDA approval for the vaccine to sign up for the September 8th Clinic.