Press release announcing booster refers to ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

A Vermont Dept. of Health official confirmed today that the Covid-19 booster shot now available to many Vermonters is an additional dose of the same drug as the Pfizer vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine is legally still under Emergency Use Authorization. FDA approval was granted in August to Comirnaty, a Pfizer/BioNTech drug which officials say is identical to the Pfizer EUA product.

Vermont Daily Chronicle asked Ben Truman, Health Dept. spokesperson: “How is the booster any different from the first two shots? Is it substantially the same medication? Has it been modified to treat the Delta variant?”

Truman responded today, “It is the same vaccine. FDA/CDC found that it is effective against the Delta variant of the virus.”

The exchange followed today’s press release from the Health Dept. and Gov. Phil Scott, which appears below:

Governor Phil Scott announced that starting today, many more Vermonters can now schedule and receive their Pfizer vaccine booster shots.

“We know vaccines are safe and effective, and these additional doses add even more protection. So, I encourage anyone who is eligible to register for your booster today,” said Governor Scott. “At the same time, we continue to urge those who have not yet gotten their first dose to get vaccinated. The data shows we are now in a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family, and to make sure we continue moving forward from the pandemic.”

In Vermont, you are now eligible to get a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine if you received your second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine six months ago or more, and

• are age 65 or older, or
• are age 18 or older with certain medical conditions that put you at high risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19, or
• are age 18 or older and are more likely to be exposed to or spread COVID because of where you work, or
• are age 18 or older and are Black, Indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC), or are age 18 or older and live with someone who is BIPOC.

As of Friday morning, more than 4,700 people have registered through the state system for their third dose. People are also able to get their shots at participating pharmacies and through their health care provider.

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, and a booster dose gives your body extra protection. This is especially important as the world continues to face the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters have not yet been authorized by the CDC, and we will keep Vermonters up to date as we await guidance.

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