During the past several weeks we have received questions about the booster, and we recognize that changing and updated public health guidance has caused some confusion about the timing for receiving a booster – particularly for those who have had COVID-19 recently. As a reminder, individuals become eligible for a booster five months after their second Pfizer dose, five months after their second Moderna dose, and two months after the single Johnson & Johnson vaccine dose. For those who have had COVID recently, the CDC recommends getting a booster following the 10-day isolation period and after any remaining symptoms resolve. For more information, please review our latest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and visit the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine booster page.
If your student has not already uploaded your COVID-19 booster information, we will continue to accept submissions over the next several weeks. For students who have had trouble scheduling an appointment, we encourage them to take advantage of the mass vaccination site at Fenway Park, which has hundreds of appointments available most days. They can also visit the Massachusetts VaxFinder site to search other locations throughout the state.
Simmons will also be hosting a small booster clinic onsite on February 3, 2022. Because we only have about 100 spots available, we recommend students utilize Fenway or another location for your booster if possible. The clinic at Simmons is hosted by Osco Pharmacy and is open to students, faculty, and staff. Osco can provide all three vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, and can incorporate first, second, and booster doses. Attendees should bring their physical vaccine record cards. If unable to provide that, then they should provide documentation of previous vaccines so Osco Pharmacy can issue a new card. A link will be provided by Osco Pharmacy to schedule appointments by the end of January.
More information about COVID-19 vaccine booster compliance will be sent in mid-February. Please note, students must submit their booster information or have an approved exemption on file by this time, or you will be asked to not return to campus until you have done so. Please continue to direct all COVID booster related questions to the Health Center at [email protected]