City-County Public Health Ready to Deliver Approved Booster Shots

FDA action authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech booster shots for 65+ and at-risk persons; shots will be available locally for eligible persons when CDC and DSHS guidance is issued

City of Corpus Christi seal, Public Health logo and County of Nueces seal

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health Department will be ready to administer booster shots of Pfizer/BioNTech to people 65 and older and for those with a high risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19 if approved by the CDC, which will meet to consider the matter next week. Residents are urged to stay informed and consult their health care provider as guidance is issued.

“Your Public Health Department will be ready to deliver booster shots as soon as we have the authority to do so,” said Annette Rodriguez, Director of Public Health. “They will be available, safe, and accessible to all eligible.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today heard testimony regarding the safety and effectiveness of administering booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to the general public. Following the presentations, the FDA voted against approving booster shots for the general population but approved an Emergency Use Authorization of booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for people aged 65 and older or with a high risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19.

The FDA actions were specific to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Only those who received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine should consider getting a Pfizer booster shot. The FDA has not yet reviewed the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines for approval as booster shots. The FDA had already approved, and CDC recommends, that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Today’s FDA action is an important step in the process, but the CDC must still approve the booster doses before they can be delivered as part of the nationwide coronavirus vaccination effort. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has scheduled a meeting to consider the matter for September 22 and 23.

“In August, the President set a goal of being able to deliver booster shots by September 20, which allowed health officials and vaccine manufacturers to prepare to deliver vaccines when approved,” said Rodriguez. “We took that goal as a deadline, have made preparations, and will be ready to deliver when we have CDC approval and implementation guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).”

“Today’s decision is a first step by the FDA to clear the way for all seniors to receive boosters. The City has redoubled our efforts to vaccinate our seniors who are immunocompromised and currently qualify. Our SOS lines are ready to receive calls.” Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo said.

“Nueces County is ready to deliver booster shots as soon as they are authorized,” said Barbara Canales, Nueces County Judge. “We have been planning for this moment, and we have the clinics, people, and systems in place to get booster shots to everyone who is eligible to receive them. We’ll be ready on day one.”