The Cambria-Somerset Covid Task Force would like to share the following FAQ related to the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and other COVID-19-related information based upon the latest CDC guidance. This information is up to date as of 10/21/21, but please note that guidelines may change as more information becomes available. Vaccine providers on the task force have encountered the following questions from local residents.
Do I need to return to the same vaccine provider for my booster shot?
No. You can obtain your booster shot from any accredited vaccine provider in any available location.
Do I need health insurance to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
No. COVID-19 vaccine providers may ask for your insurance information, but you will not receive a bill. If you do not have insurance, you can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine free of charge to you.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose?
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings (e.g., healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff), Education staff (e.g., teachers, support staff, daycare workers), Food and agriculture workers, Manufacturing workers, Corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, Public transit workers, Grocery store workers)
- Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings
For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. This additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised people’s response to their initial vaccine series.
This includes people who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Am I still considered “fully vaccinated” if I don’t get a booster shot?
Yes. Everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine.
Can I get a different vaccine product for my booster?
There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
What if I forgot to get my second dose or haven’t yet gotten my first dose?
For two-dose vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), you should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is currently limited information on the effectiveness of receiving your second shot later than 6 weeks after the first shot. However, if you receive your second shot of COVID-19 vaccine at any time after the recommended date, you do not have to restart the vaccine series, and you can be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after getting your second shot. This CDC guidance might be updated as more information becomes available.
Who can get a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?
People 12 years of age and older can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine.
People 18 years of age and older can receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine.
People 18 years of age and older can receive the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, which is a single-dose vaccine.
If I lost my COVID-19 Vaccination Record card, what should I do?
Contact your vaccine provider directly to access your vaccination record. If you cannot contact the provider, contact the PA Department of Health immunization information system at 877-774-4748 or RA-DHVaxRecords@pa.gov. If you have made every effort and cannot locate your vaccine information, talk to a vaccine provider.
Where can I go to get my first dose, second dose, or booster shot?
Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card with you to your appointment. Contact the vaccine providers on the next page to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Cambria and Somerset County Vaccine Providers
BosWell Pharmacy Services LLC 888-688-3288 https://www.boswellpharmacy.com/
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (814) 410-8400 conemaugh.org
Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center (814)-634-5911https://www.conemaugh.org/health-information/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccine-information#
CVS Pharmacy– Somerset (814) 443-1634 https://www.cvs.com/ immunizations/covid-19- vaccine
Genoa Healthcare Johnstown 814-266-1699 https://www.genoahealthcare.com/
Genoa Healthcare second location 814-792-3855
Highlands Health (814) 534-6242 highlandshealthclinic.com
Hyndman Area Health Center 814-263-5804 https://www.hyndmanhealth.org/
Mainline Pharmacy (814) 472-9390 mainlinepharmacy.com
Giant Eagle Pharmacy gianteagle.com/covidvaccine
Northern Cambria (814) 948-9732
Ebensburg (814) 472-0614
Johnstown—Broad Street (814) 535-4496
Johnstown—Goucher Street (814) 288-5843
Johnstown—Scalp Avenue (814) 269-3630
Somerset—Center Avenue (814) 443-0544
Somerset—Glades Pike (814) 443-3152
Johnstown VA Outpatient Clinic
(814) 943-8164 Ext. 5800 https://www. altoona.va.gov/services/covid -19-vaccines.asp
Laurel Pediatric Associates Inc. 814-262-9500 https://www.laurelpeds.com/
Pediatric Care Specialists (814) 266-8840
Primary Health Network (724) 699-9211 https://primary-health.net/ COVID-Vaccine-Clinic.aspx
Richland Family Health Center (814) 961-3500 richlandfhc.com
Rite Aid (800) 748-3243 riteaid.com/covid-19
Select Specialty Hospital Johnstown (814) 534-7360 https://www.selectspecialtyhospitals.com/locations-and-tours/pa/johnstown/johnstown/
UPMC Somerset (844) 876-2822 somersethospital.com
Walmart (Johnstown) 814-266-6996 https://www.walmart.com/pharmacy/clinical-services/immunization/scheduled?imzType=covid&emailMe=false&r=yes
A full list of providers is available at www.vaccines.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489)