Last Updated: September 24, 2021

Updated Guidance on Vaccination of Pregnant People against COVID-19

• CDC recommends that pregnant people should be vaccinated against COVID‐19
• Growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID‐19 vaccination during pregnancy demonstrates that the benefits of receiving a COVID‐19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks
• COVID‐19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future

Do I need an additional dose (3rd dose) of a COVID-19 vaccine?

Effective August 13, 2021, CDC recommends that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive an additional dose of a mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the second dose of the initial vaccine series. If you are unsure if you fit into this category please call your primary care provider to discuss what option is best for you.

This includes people who have:

1. Active treatment of solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
2. Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
3. Receipt of CAR‐T‐cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
4. Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome)
5. Advanced or untreated HIV infection

Will the general public need a booster dose?

CDC recommends:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series,
• people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series,
• people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
• 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 of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

CDC will evaluate available data in the coming weeks to make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Do all doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines need to be the same manufacturer?

Yes,  all doses must be the same manufacturer.  For example, if your first two doses were manufactured by Pfizer your third dose or booster must also be manufactured by Pfizer.

Which vaccines have full FDA approval?

Currently the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has full FDA approval for the prevention of COVID-19 disease for individuals 16 years of age and older.

The CDC anticipates additional FDA approvals for different age groups and other manufacturers in the coming weeks.

Can an eligible teenager receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for ages 12 and older. Appointments can be made at the Atlantic Hy-Vee Pharmacy and Atlantic Wal-Mart Pharmacy.

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently only approved for adults ages 18 and older.

I heard that I should wait to get my mammogram if I am getting the vaccine soon. Is that true?

Recently, the Society for Breast Imaging released a recommendation that people undergo mammography screening either before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or wait to have a mammogram four to six weeks following their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. One side effect of many vaccines is enlarged lymph nodes that could raise alarm during a routine mammogram, causing additional unnecessary imaging. Vaccines of all types can result in temporary swelling of the lymph nodes, which may be a sign that the body is making antibodies as intended.

If you have any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, do not delay speaking with your primary care provider about what tests may be needed.