UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | March 28, 2024

Covid-19 boosters available for vaccinated

Recipients of any COVID-19 vaccination are eligible for a booster vaccine six months after their second vaccination. Dixie State University offers vaccination clinics. Photo by Yara Al-Badri.

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The first COVID-19 booster is now being offered to recipients of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines six months after their second vaccination.

The Moderna booster can be given to recipients ages 18 and up, while Pfizer can be given to those ages five and up.

“We’re vaccinating for boosters at Dixie State once a month, we are still vaccinating for first and second doses,” said Matthew Supulver, vaccination tech at South-West Utah Health Department.

COVID-19 boosters are recommended for immunocompromised individuals as well as anyone who wants one. All COVID-19 vaccinations are given for free for everyone including students, faculty, and some family members of recipients at DSU. If you miss the DSU vaccination clinics, all doses of COVID-19 vaccinations are given at the South-West Health Department Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Recipients of the first two doses of any COVID-19 vaccination are recommended to get booster shots.

“The CDC has noticed a decline of immunity after the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, so the booster gives that added protection to our immune system,” said Lance Madigan, media relations manager at Intermountain Healthcare.

Receiving all three vaccines does not ensure immunity but can lessen the negative side effects if someone should contract COVID-19.

David Blodgett, health officer at Southwest Health Department, said, “Getting a booster can help mitigate the most severe effects of COVID-19, such as hospitalization or death.”

With the holiday break right around the corner, students are encouraged to receive their boosters before gathering around family and friends this season, especially when gathering around individuals who are unvaccinated.

“When you’re at your relative’s house and everyone has been vaccinated and boosted, I personally would take the mask off as long as they have been reasonably careful as well,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at University of Utah Health. “No one’s safe until everyone’s safe; we need to redouble our efforts to help vaccinate our neighbors and our neighbors around the world.”

The vaccines website includes updated information about the vaccines. Intermountain Healthcare’s website provides scheduling information on its website.