COVID-19 VACCINE
Important information
All Minnesotans age 12 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Accra strongly encourages its employees and clients to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when they are eligible to receive the vaccine. Given our direct support professionals’ role in caring for people with disabilities and the elderly, we feel strongly that keeping our employees and clients safe is paramount – and the vaccine is one of the most important ways to stop the spread of the disease.
Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine can find a vaccination location near them by using the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The connector allows users to directly schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program locations. Minnesotans can also contact their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in their area.
The best protection from COVID-19 will be a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least six feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often. No one tool alone is going to stop the pandemic.
CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Older Adults, J&J Vaccine Recipients and Immunocompromised Adolescents
People ages 50 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.
People ages 18-49 years who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.
People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.
Only Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be used for people 12-17 years old. Pfizer OR Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be used for people 18 years and older.
CDC Recommends Everyone Ages 18 and Older Should Get a COVID-19 Booster Shot
Although COVID-19 vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time, especially in people aged 65 and older, and at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters and prevention efforts to protect against COVID-19. Thus, the CDC is recommending that all eligible adults ages 18 and older receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
People who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine should wait to receive their booster until at least six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should wait to receive their booster until at least two months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination. You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, while others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
CDC Recommends Everyone Ages 5 and Older Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine
The CDC now recommends that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from getting COVID-19, while protecting those around them.
- Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
- Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
- Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted clinical trials with thousands of children and no serious safety concerns were identified. Children ages 5 through 11 receive an age-appropriate dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents. Children will need a second shot of the vaccine three weeks after their first shot.
FDA approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older. FDA-approved vaccines undergo the agency’s standard process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 through 15 years of age, and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.