Booster Shots In Franklin: What You Local Health Department Says

FRANKLIN, WI — Those in Franklin who previously recieved two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are now eligible for a third booster shot.

Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are among the first people recommended to get the additional shot, but should you get it? Patch asked Courtney Day from the Franklin Health Department just that.

Click here to find a vaccine dose near you.

The CDC announced the news this week alongside data supporting the need for a booster shot for people who got the Pfizer vaccine. You would only want to get a booster shot if you meet eligibility criteria, and if Pfizer was the only vaccine you have recieved. Other vaccines such as Johnson & Johnson and Moderna have yet to be approved for booster shots.

CDC studies show immunity against COVID-19 can decrease over time in those who recieved Pfizer, which can make people more susceptible to the delta variant. Vaccination remains effective at preventing severe disease, but a booster shot was proven to increase the immune response, according to the CDC.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services agreed with the CDC study and asserted Wisconsin supports the recommendation to get a booster.

"Vaccination continues to be the best path forward to ending the pandemic," said Courtney Day, director of health and human services for Franklin. "Increasing evidence is showing those that are unvaccinated have a much higher chance of severe illness and death from COVID-19 than those that are vaccinated."

Click here to find a vaccine dose near you.

"We encourage everyone that has not already done so to get vaccinated to protect themselves as well as those that are not yet eligible to receive vaccine," Day wrote.

Here's what your local health officials said about getting a booster shot in Franklin:

What should residents know and take into consideration when deciding to get a vaccine dose or not?

Day: Scientific evidence has shown a degree of waning immunity from the initial dosing of COVID-19 vaccine over time for the Pfizer vaccine. Due to this evidence, the FDA and CDC approved a booster dose for specific high risk populations. Those include:

• Individuals ages 65 and older
• Individuals over 18 that reside in long-term care facilities
• Individuals between 18 and 64 years with certain underlying medical conditions
• Individuals between 18 and 64 years that are at a higher risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19 (i.e. healthcare, teachers, correctional facilities, etc.)

At this time only those who completed their initial vaccine series with the Pfizer vaccine and meet the criteria above are eligible for the booster. Research is still being conducted and analyzed to determine whether or not booster doses will be needed for those that received the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

We anticipate learning more about potential extra doses of these vaccines in the next few weeks. Individuals with questions on whether or not they should get a booster dose should consult with their healthcare provider.

What is Franklin's plan when it comes to rolling out third doses?

Day: The Franklin Health Department has not previously administered Pfizer vaccine, therefore those that came through our clinics are not eligible for boosters at this time. We do not have Pfizer on hand however we continue to monitor the supply of vaccine in and around the Franklin community to ensure there is adequate supply and communication to those looking for vaccine whether it is initial doses or boosters.

Should Moderna or Johnson & Johnson end up with recommendations for booster doses, we will conduct vaccine clinics to assist in this distribution of vaccine.

How does the decision impact the number of vaccines locally in stock? How may it impact it in the future?

Day: Recently Franklin Health Department has kept a small supply of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine on hand. It’s difficult to know now that Pfizer has been approved for boosters if there will be a supply issue for this vaccine.

However recent communications from the federal government have stated there should be enough Pfizer vaccine available to provide these booster doses as well as provide doses for younger children when they become eligible for vaccination.

Click here to find a vaccine dose near you.

Is there anything else everyone should know?

Day: Vaccination continues to be the best path forward to ending the pandemic.

Increasing evidence is showing those that are unvaccinated have a much higher chance of severe illness and death from COVID-19 than those that are vaccinated. At this time vaccine is readily available at clinics and pharmacies throughout Milwaukee County. We encourage everyone that has not already done so to get vaccinated to protect themselves as well as those that are not yet eligible to receive vaccine.