George Mason University officials are encouraging those who are eligible to go ahead and schedule their third COVID-19 vaccine doses or booster shots to best help keep the entire community safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine third doses for immunocompromised individuals and Pfizer booster shots for specific populations aged 18 or older.
Mason is offering Pfizer third shots for eligible individuals who are immunocompromised for whom at least four weeks have passed since their second Pfizer dose. The third doses must be the same brand of vaccine received in the original vaccine series.
Pfizer booster shots are also available for individuals six months or more after the second Pfizer dose was received.
The CDC recommends the following individuals should receive a Pfizer booster vaccine:
- People 65 years and older and people age 18 and older who are residents in long-term care settings.
- People age 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions.
The CDC states that the following individuals may receive a Pfizer booster vaccine (after discussion of their specific medical conditions/history or concerns with their primary care provider):
- People age 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions.
- People age 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings (i.e., high contact roles, health care, child care teachers, instructional faculty, public safety, and counselors).
“We encourage our students, faculty and staff to discuss their individual health conditions with their primary care provider and take advantage of Mason’s third dose and booster shots if needed,” said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of Safety and Emergency Management. “Mason’s COVID Response Team is working diligently to implement CDC guidance as our knowledge of COVID evolves.”
Mason is currently offering Pfizer third shots and booster shots for eligible individuals at Fenwick A on the Fairfax Campus, Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. If you need a third shot or a booster shot, schedule your vaccine appointment here through the office of Safety, Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management.
At your appointment, you must present identification that indicates your date of birth, as well as your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other document that indicates the vaccine and dates that you received vaccine. You do not need to provide proof of your medical condition, activities, or occupation that qualifies you for a third or booster shot.
“This is just one more way that Mason continues to help our community during this pandemic,” Farris said.
The CDC and FDA are expected to approve Moderna booster shots in the coming weeks. When this occurs, Mason plans to offer Moderna third shots and booster shots consistent with the CDC recommendations. The university does not have plans to offer any vaccines other than Pfizer and Moderna.
For more information on Mason’s ongoing COVID-19 response, please visit Mason’s Safe Return to Campus website.