Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots Available for Employees; Appointments Now Available at PWHC

An employee takes a selfie earlier this year while receiving a vaccination. Boosters are now available through the Pat Walker Health Center.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose for individuals meeting specific eligibility criteria.

Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed individuals who work at institutions of higher education are eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine if they have previously completed a two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination series and it has been at least six months since their second dose.

The ADH verified that people aged 18-64 years of age, who work in higher education, are considered eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine because they have an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional setting.

APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOSTER

Pat Walker Health Center is now offering appointments for booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for eligible members of the U of A community.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online at myhealth.uark.edu, or by calling 479-575-4451, option 1. Individuals should bring their original vaccine card to the appointment.

Although not required, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is strongly recommended. The vaccine will not only help protect you against COVID-19 but also help prevent serious illness if you do contract the virus that causes COVID-19.

PFIZER COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINE ELIGIBILITY

The following populations are eligible to receive the Pfizer booster shot at least six months after receiving their second dose:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older

• Individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19

• Individuals aged 18-64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

Those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines are not eligible to receive a Pfizer booster dose at this time, per CDC guidance. Vaccination status will be verified on site.

Occupations determined to be at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front-line essential workers and health care workers as previously defined by the CDC. This includes:

• First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections workers
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers

If you are not sure whether you fit into any of these categories, please contact your medical provider or PWHC — 479-575-4451.

Flu vaccines are now available. Schedule your appointment online at myhealth.uark.edu.

At this time, there are no large-scale mass vaccination clinics currently scheduled on campus; however, COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are readily available at Pat Walker Health Center and in our local community. Find a vaccine clinic in the community.