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1. Are boosters available for children ages 12-15?

Yes! The CDC approved Pfizer vaccine boosters for children aged 12-15 on Jan 5, 2021.

2. Where can I get a COVID vaccine?

Our regular clinics this winter are by appointment at the Elks Lodge at 17 Spring Street in Florence and the City Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 212 Main St. More information and links to appointments here:  https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Clinics. 

We are working with partners and Board of Health throughout Hampshire County to provide appointments out in the communities. Appointments for these mobile clinics are available through the same links as above as those clinics are planned. 

If our clinic times do not work for you, you can also look on the Massachusetts VaxFinder page here:  https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

3. What is the difference between a “booster” dose and a third dose?

Third doses in a series of either Pfizer or Moderna have been recommended for people with severe to immune compromising conditions because of the possibility their first two doses might not be enough to fully protect them. These doses are given at least 28 days past their second dose and should be the same vaccine they already received. (There is no additional dose for J&J vaccine at the moment.)  

Booster doses of Pfizer vaccine are another dose given 6 months past the second dose of Pfizer for  anyone who fits the booster criteria. (see next question)

4. Who is eligible for a “booster” shot?

Boosters are available for the following people based on their individual benefits and risks; if you are concerned about your risk please consult your healthcare provider.

• people 16 or 17 year of age who received their second dose of PfizerBioNTech vaccine at least 5 months ago may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech
• people ages 18+ who received their second dose of Pfizer vaccine at least 5 months ago may choose a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J
• people ages 18+ who received their second dose of Moderna vaccine at least 6 months ago may choose a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J
• people ages 18+ who received  their one dose of Janssen Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago may choose a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J.*

*Please note regarding J&J: On December 16, 2021 the CDC endorsed updated recommendations to express a clinical preference for individuals to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine including Moderna and Pfizer vaccines over the Johnson and Johnson Janssen vaccine.

5. Is the Health Department offering “booster” doses?

Yes, we are offering booster doses for anyone who is fully vaccinated. We do check your vaccine card and/or record to make sure your booster is timed correctly. Please see the related question about booster eligibility. 

6. What does “moderate to severe immunocompromise'' mean?

These conditions or treatments include but are not limited to:

• Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
• Receipt of solid organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g. DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e. equal to or greater than 20mg or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) factor blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

7. I have a moderate or severe immunocompromise, how do I find a third dose of vaccine?

You can make an appointment at any of our clinics. 

We offer third doses in the series of Pfizer or Moderna at our clinics for people with moderate to severe immune compromise.  The CDC page on immunocompromising conditions is here. Third doses are available for people who have received the second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine a minimum of 28 days ago.

A list of immune compromising conditions is the previous question.

8. Does the Health Department have Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Vaccine?

Yes, typically we do. The website is updated with the doses that are available.

Our nurse keeps a list of individuals who need a dose of Moderna vaccine. Explanation: There are 10 doses per vial of Moderna. We open one vial at a time so we don’t waste vaccine doses. 

Please leave your name and phone number on her voicemail. Kate Kelly = x1216  It is also reasonable to look for Moderna by calling local pharmacies or other pop-up clinics in the area. VaxFinder is the statewide resource. https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

We will be able to increase appointment availability once the “booster” is officially approved by CDC. 

9. I lost my vaccine card or need vaccine record information.

There are three ways to obtain your vaccination record:

1. Access your vaccination record on your own healthcare web portal. The fastest way for you to obtain a copy of your vaccination record in Massachusetts is to access your primary care provider's web portal for your immunization record and save or print your vaccine record from there. 

2. Call your provider for an MIIS vaccine certificate or printout of your vaccination records. Massachusetts healthcare providers who give any vaccines (all primary care providers) have access to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System and can download a vaccination certificate. 

3. Request a card from the place where you received your vaccine dose(s). If you received your dose(s) at the Northampton Health Department we ask staff to work on new card requests during clinic days each week and we mail them. We will try to accommodate you as soon as possible. Please know that we receive many requests for lost cards and this can take a week or more to get to you. To request a handwritten card, please send email with your name, date of birth, mailing address, and phone number (in case we have questions) OR call Public Health Nurse Kate Kelly and leave a message with this information at 413-587-1216.

10. Are boosters available for children ages 12-15?

No, at least not yet. Currently the CDC recommends booster doses for people ages 16+. Our clinics always pivot to meet any new CDC recommendations or guidance. If the recommendations change, we will change what we offer.

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (group that advises the CDC) is on Wednesday January 5, 2022.