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Why You Should Get Your Booster Vaccine Now

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

More fully vaccinated Cambridge residents are now eligible for COVID-19 boosters following recent recommendations from the CDC. In early January, the CDC:

  • Approved the Pfizer booster vaccine for children ages 12 to 15.
  • Shortened the recommended period between receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine from 6 months to 5 months.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant locally and across the country is believed to be a combination of the variant’s increased transmissibility and ability to evade immunity from vaccination or prior infection.

“Booster vaccines are expected to restore much of the vaccine’s protection against infection, as well as serious illness,” said Derrick Neal, the City’s Chief Public Health Officer and director of the Cambridge Public Health Department. “Our health department is strongly recommending boosters for everyone who is eligible.”

As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, an estimated 41% of all Cambridge residents had received a booster dose. Of note, children under 12 are not eligible for a booster and younger teens (age 12-15) only became eligible last week.

“We’re pleased that many residents over age 50 have gotten boosted,” said Mr. Neal. “Older adults are not only at higher risk for serious illness, but many of them would have completed their initial vaccine series well over 6 months ago and may not have adequate protection against Omicron.”

According to state data, 64% of residents ages 50-64, 68% of residents ages 65-74, and 74% of residents age 75 and older had received a booster shot.

“We’d like to see more young adults in Cambridge get fully vaccinated and boosted,” said Mr. Neal. “Residents in their 20s are not only spreading the virus to others, but we also worry that some small proportion of infected young adults might become very sick.”

According to state data, only 66% of Cambridge residents ages 20-29 are fully vaccinated and 30% have been boosted.

For more information on where you get a free vaccine and booster, see the City’s COVID-19 vaccination information page at www.cambridgema.gov/vaccine

Page was posted on 1/18/2022 1:31 PM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 12:32 AM
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