Working again with health officials from Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH), the Town of Shelter Island announced Tuesday it is organizing a COVID vaccine booster POD here for November 9.
[UPDATE: Follow this link to register for the vaccine booster POD]
The POD (point of distribution) will be located at the Shelter Island School gym but organized to create minimal disruption to the school day. That’s according to Supervisor Gerry Siller, who told Town Board members at Tuesday’s work session that details are still being ironed out.
SBSH and the Town worked with school officials since early this year to deliver COVID vaccinations to hundreds of Islanders, including many elderly residents who were unable to travel to receive shots off-Island. (See our coverage of the first POD here.)
The vaccine booster POD will aim to provide booster shots for 600 Islanders, Shelter Island Police Chief James J. Read Jr. said Tuesday.
People who completed their initial COVID vaccine series six months ago will be eligible. Proof of vaccination will be required to participate, said Deputy Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams
Why are boosters recommended?
Generally, boosters are recommended for those age 65+ and anyone 18+ who has underlying medical issues that amplify the likelihood of complications from COVID. Follow this link to read more about eligibility recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
No vaccine guarantees complete immunity, and the effectiveness of vaccines can wane over time, the CDC says.
“Although COVID-19 vaccination for adults aged 65 years and older remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination is less effective at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms,” the CDC says. “Emerging evidence also shows that among healthcare and other frontline workers, vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infections is decreasing over time.”
“This lower effectiveness is likely due to the combination of decreasing protection as time passes since getting vaccinated (e.g., waning immunity) as well as the greater infectiousness of the Delta variant. Data from a small clinical trial show that a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot increased the immune response in trial participants who finished their primary series 6 months earlier.”
“With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant,” the CDC says.
Pfizer, Moderna, and/or Johnson & Johnson?
Siller said he was not certain whether the Pfizer booster would be also available to those who initially received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Once these and other details are worked out, participants will be able to schedule their appointments via a link that will be posted on the Town website.
We will update this post as additional information becomes available.
Meantime, SBSH is offering Pfizer 1st and 2nd shots, and vaccine boosters by appointment at a drive-up facility at the hospital. Folks who can travel may register for vaccine boosters at the hospital using this link.
