Walgreens Offering Moderna, Johnson & Johnson Boosters Nationwide

Deerfield IL

22 October, 2021

12:37 PM

Description

DEERFIELD, IL — Walgreens announced Friday that eligible individuals can now receive Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster shots in stores nationwide. It follows the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a news release. The FDA authorized Pfizer booster doses on Sept. 24. As part of this new guidance, eligible populations may also choose to receive a dose different from the one they received for their initial series. Walgreens Boot Alliance, headquartered in Deerfield, oversees 9,277 Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in the U.S. "As new guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccines continues to emerge, our communities are relying on pharmacists for information, support and guidance more than ever. Walgreens pharmacy teams are available to answer questions and make it easy to understand eligibility requirements and access COVID-19 vaccine, whether it's a first dose or booster shot," said Rina Shah, Walgreens' group vice president of pharmacy operations and services. COVID-19 Vaccine For Illinois Kids: New Timeline, Rollout Plan Eligibility requirements for Moderna and Pfizer-BioTech booster doses are the same. Individuals must wait at least six months after they complete their initial mRNA COVID-19 primary vaccine series to receive their booster dose, according to the news release. Eligible individuals include: Individuals aged 65 and older.Long-term care facility residents ages 18 and older.Individuals aged 18 and older with underlying medical conditions. Individuals ages 18-49 should consider individual benefits and risks, according to CDC guidance.Individuals ages 18-64 who are at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, such as healthcare and essential workers, based on their individual benefits and risks. A single vaccine booster dose is recommended for individuals 18 and older who received a J&J primary dose at least two months after they receive their initial J&J primary vaccine dose. In general, according to the news release, it is recommended individuals receive the same product for their booster dose as they did for their primary series. However, if the original product is not available or another product is preferred, mixing and matching vaccines with any of the authorized COVID-19 vaccine boosters is allowed.The primary series of two-dose vaccines should still be completed with the same product for both doses. RELATED: Walgreens Boots Alliance Makes $5.2B Investment in VillageMDWalgreens Raising Starting Pay To $15 Per HourWalgreens Offering Retail Products Through Uber EatsWalgreens Launches Vaccine Appointment And Ride Service With Uber