Novant Health to begin administering booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients
Published 8:39 pm Sunday, September 26, 2021
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WINSTON-SALEM — Following emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Novant Health has announced that it will begin administering a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals within certain populations on Monday, Sept. 27. To date, the healthcare system has administered over 550,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which includes more than 277,000 fully vaccinated individuals.
Who: Individuals can schedule an appointment with Novant Health regardless of where they received the Pfizer vaccine series if they meet the below eligibility criteria as outlined by the FDA:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot at least 6 months after their primary series
- People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot at least 6 months after their primary series
- People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot at least 6 months after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot at least 6 months after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
When: The booster dose is authorized for administration to eligible individuals at least six months following completion of their primary Pfizer-BioNTech series and may be given at any point after that time. Eligible individuals can schedule their appointment beginning Monday, Sept. 27.
Where: The following locations will accept eligible individuals by appointment only:
- Novant Health Medical Group – Hanes (196 Hanes Mall Circle, Winston-Salem, NC 27103) is open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Novant Health Medical Group – East Mecklenburg (6070 East Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28212) is open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Novant Health Medical Group – Huntersville (17220 Northcross Drive, Suite 110, Huntersville, NC 28078) is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Novant Health Medical Group – Salisbury (J.F. Hurley YMCA 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. W Salisbury, NC 28147) is open Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Select Novant Health primary care clinics
- Retail pharmacies and others also will offer booster doses
- If an individual is seeking a more convenient time or location they can visit the NCDHHS location finder, here.
How to schedule: While walk-ins are accepted for first and second doses at most permanent vaccination sites, we require individuals seeking a third dose of vaccine to make an appointment at all locations. Note, you do not have to be a Novant Health patient to schedule an appointment. Ways to schedule include:
- MyChart: MyChart is the best way to schedule an appointment. Anyone can create a MyChart account by visiting MyNovant.Org. Appointment availability can be accessed under Visits –> Schedule an appointment –> COVID-19 Vaccine.
- GetVaccinated.org: Anyone can schedule an appointment online.
- Primary care clinics: established patients are able to call their primary care clinic to schedule an appointment at that clinic, if it is offering the vaccine, or at the nearest Novant Health vaccination site.
- Those who do not have access to the internet or a primary care provider can call 855-NH-VAC-4U (855-648-2248) for scheduling assistance.
Top questions:
What to bring to your appointment. Do you need to bring your proof of vaccination card?
Yes, please bring your vaccine card. Physical cards and photos of cards will be accepted. If you have lost your vaccination card, and you did not receive your previous doses with Novant Health, you should contact the site where you obtained your vaccine series to confirm the product you received and dates. If you have lost your vaccination card, and you did receive your previous doses with Novant Health, we will be able to access your records and issue a replacement card.
How will we verify an individual’s eligibility? Is identification required?
Individuals self-identify and attest to their eligibility status. Individuals will not be asked for any identification or proof of residency. Insurance is not required, however patients are asked for insurance information if they have it for filing of the administration of the vaccine purposes only.
Can you get the booster dose at the same time as your flu shot?
Yes. You can receive COVID-19 vaccines the same day as other vaccines. You can also receive COVID-19 vaccines if you have received another vaccine within two weeks.
What if I received Johnson & Johnson
If you did not receive the Pfizer vaccine or complete that series, we ask that you do not schedule an appointment at this time. There is not enough data currently to support getting a Pfizer booster if someone has previously received a Johnson & Johnson or Moderna vaccine. These individuals will likely need a booster dose as well, and more data is expected in the coming weeks.
Should I receive Pfizer-BioNTech or Comirnaty?
The FDA-authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the same formulation as the FDA approved Comirnaty, and the vaccines may be used interchangeably.
Is the booster the same product as the first two doses?
Yes. It’s the same product that people were given before.
Is the booster dosefree?
Yes. All COVID-19 vaccines are free for every individual, including those who do not have insurance.
For more FAQs, please visit: GetVaccinated.org.