The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week authorized a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups and individuals. The booster dose is recommended at least six months after the second Pfizer dose for people who are:
- Age 65 years and older
- Age 18 to 64 years who are residents of a long-term care facility
- Age 50 to 64 years with an underlying medical condition that leads to a high risk of severe COVID-19
- Age 18 to 49 years with an underlying medical condition based on their individual benefits and risks
- Age 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure or transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, including healthcare workers
“We understand how the evolving news shared last week may be confusing to caregivers,” says Tamara Sheffield, MD, Intermountain’s medical director for community health and preventive medicine. “At the end of the day, the CDC has recommended the Pfizer booster dose, and we’re making appropriate preparations to provide it to eligible patients and caregivers.”
Starting the week of October 4, Intermountain will begin hosting booster vaccine clinics for caregivers who completed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series and want the booster. Targeted emails will be sent to eligible caregivers as soon as clinic schedules are finalized.
- For caregivers in Utah, the email will include a link to sign up for a time and location.
- Cassia Regional Hospital, Saltzer Health, and Classic Air caregivers who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will receive instructions directly from their leadership teams.
- Caregivers in Nevada received the Moderna vaccine and won’t be eligible for boosters at this time.
“We’re setting up caregiver booster vaccine clinics as quickly as we can,” says Diane Rindlisbacher, executive partner over special projects. “We’re coordinating with the Utah, Idaho, and Nevada Departments of Health on timing of vaccine supply availability and who needs what, so we can adequately support efforts to vaccinate both patients and caregivers at our Medical Group clinics, inpatient facilities, and caregiver vaccine clinics. The State of Utah has asked that Intermountain vaccinate our caregivers eligible for booster doses to preserve appointment eligibility at community locations for others needing a vaccine.”
Community members and patients who fall into a group classified by the CDC and FDA for a booster dose can receive one now by scheduling an appointment with their primary care provider or by visiting vaccines.gov and visiting a community vaccination location.
Caregivers who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine shot can’t receive the Pfizer booster dose at this time. Should the FDA and CDC approve a booster for Moderna and/or Johnson & Johnson, booster vaccine clinics will be organized to distribute doses to eligible caregivers.
While Intermountain currently doesn’t require the COVID-19 vaccine, if you haven’t received a completed series of the vaccine, you’re strongly encouraged to get it. You can make an appointment at a location near you by visiting vaccines.gov or by talking with your primary care provider. You can also receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the caregiver booster vaccine clinics. More details will be shared soon. If you received your COVID-19 vaccine from a non-Intermountain sponsored caregiver clinic, please update your Employee Health record by following these instructions.
“The FDA and CDC are carefully evaluating emerging evidence, and they’ll let us know more information as we move forward,” Dr. Sheffield says. “In the meantime, the most important thing we can do is encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is working. We also know the combinations of good public health strategies—vaccinations, masking, social distancing, washing hands, and staying home when sick—is the best approach to overcoming COVID and other respiratory viruses, and to improve the health of our community.”
We need your help to staff the COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics. Please sign up to help make booster vaccine clinics happen for your fellow caregivers. New shifts will be posted each week starting soon.
- Clinical and non-clinical roles will be available, with part-time and full-time commitments. Review the full list of available roles.
- On-the-job training will be provided.
- Overtime is approved for any non-exempt (hourly) caregivers working these shifts. Professional exempt (salaried) caregivers won’t receive additional compensation but are welcome to volunteer.
- Travel is approved for mileage reimbursement for all COVID-19 related shifts. Learn how to submit your mileage here. (page 15)
To sign up for a COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic shift, please visit UKG (Kronos) or contact Ask HR at 801-442-7547 or askhr@imail.org.