HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The 66th Medical Squadron here is now offering doses of the Pfizer vaccine booster to children ages 16 and 17 who completed their original COVID vaccine series at least six months ago.
Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for this age group.
“This is another great step in our ability to keep our families and communities safe and protected,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Gough, 66 MDS Public Health emergency officer.
COVID vaccines and booster doses are available at the Immunization Clinic here Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis. The Immunization Clinic will be closed Dec. 29 and 30. The Hanscom Clinic will be closed Dec. 31 through Jan. 3, and will resume normal operations on Jan. 4.
Gough said the Pfizer booster doses for 16 and 17 year olds are the same dosage given to adults in both their initial vaccine series and boosters.
“There is a misconception that the booster will cause an incrementally worse reaction than the first and second doses,” said Gough. “However, we’re seeing that the third dose is associated with milder side effects.”
Flu shots are also available at the clinic for TRICARE beneficiaries. Patients are able to get them at the same time as their COVID vaccines and boosters.
“It is perfectly safe to receive your flu vaccine and booster at the same time,” Gough said. “We are well into cold and flu season, and the more protection we can surround ourselves with, the better.”
Officials from the MDS recently updated procedures for base personnel who may test positive for COVID using an at-home test.
At this time, personnel must confirm their at-home test diagnosis with a confirmatory test at the Hanscom Clinic, or with their healthcare provider before reporting their case to Public Health for contract tracing procedures.
Those who are confirmed positive must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms, beginning from either the day their symptoms began or, if asymptomatic, the day they receive their positive test.
Additional information on COVID testing, isolation procedures, and installation guidelines can be found at www.Hanscom.af.mil/Coronavirus.