STATEWIDE — Virginia’s state vaccination coordinator Dr. Danny Avula responds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recommendation of the Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses.
“Virginia welcomes the decision from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support booster shots for certain people who previously received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” Dr. Avula said in a Sept. 24 statement.
Dr. Avula said that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been working with pharmacies, healthcare providers, hospitals and other institutions to prepare for the rollout.
“We are confident that we will have enough supply, and that access will be widely available,” he said.
The CDC approved the distribution of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 booster shots to older Americans and other at-risk individuals.
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky also overruled the agency’s advisory committee by expanding booster shot access to frontline workers.
“VDH is also establishing other vaccination sites to ensure eligible Virginians will be able to access a booster dose when it’s recommended,” Dr. Avula said. “There is no need to rush to get your booster at six months and one day.”
Dr. Avula also said that VDH will provide information about accessing a booster dose online where people can search for and schedule a booster vaccination appointment.
