Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters available at JHM for eligible individuals

October 1, 2021

Dear Johns Hopkins Community,

Based on recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, health care workers and others who meet eligibility criteria and who have previously received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are now eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) is offering the Pfizer booster to eligible JHM and Johns Hopkins University personnel who received both doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago. At this time, federal agencies have not authorized boosters for those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

While a Pfizer booster is recommended for those who are eligible, it is not currently required under JHM or JHU vaccination policies. Eligibility criteria are detailed on the CDC’s website and include those who are age 65 years and older, have certain underlying medical conditions, work in high-risk settings or live in high-risk settings.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster appointments can be scheduled at Johns Hopkins Medicine locations using MyChart. Appointments are first-come, first-served. If you are eligible to receive a Pfizer booster based on the CDC’s criteria, follow these steps to schedule an appointment:

  • Log into your MyChart account. See MyChart resources if you need help.
  • Under Visits, select “Schedule an Appointment.”
  • Choose the tile labeled “COVID-19 Vaccine.”
  • Choose a date and location. Some COVID-19 vaccine booster clinics are held in the same space as flu vaccination clinics, making it convenient to receive both vaccines at once.

In addition, Pfizer booster appointments are available at a number of retail pharmacies and other locations in our communities. Johns Hopkins Medicine is also offering Pfizer boosters to eligible patients, and is communicating directly with those who meet the eligibility criteria.

We will continue to share updates regarding boosters as they develop.

Sincerely, 

Gabe Kelen
Director, Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)
Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System

Lisa Maragakis
Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Johns Hopkins Health System 

Robert Carter
Senior Director
Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Emergency Management

Clarence Lam
Interim Director, Occupational Health Services
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Stephen Gange
Professor and Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Johns Hopkins University

Jon Links
Professor, Vice Provost and Chief Risk Officer
Johns Hopkins University