How can I get a 2nd booster?
May 17, 2022 10:25 AM Subscribe
I'm a young adult with chronic conditions but am not CDC approved for a 4th shot. How can I get one?
I am located in Philadelphia. I have 3 moderna shots and my 3rd shot is now more than 6 months old. My workplace recently went mask optional.
I have multiple autoimmune diseases, but I still don't qualify for a 4th shot yet. Can I walk into a CVS and pretend like I have never gotten a shot? Is there a registry of this anywhere/will they be able to tell I have already been boosted?
I am located in Philadelphia. I have 3 moderna shots and my 3rd shot is now more than 6 months old. My workplace recently went mask optional.
I have multiple autoimmune diseases, but I still don't qualify for a 4th shot yet. Can I walk into a CVS and pretend like I have never gotten a shot? Is there a registry of this anywhere/will they be able to tell I have already been boosted?
In my experience, there is not gatekeeping around getting boosted. Since it is >6 months since your last shot, I would just go in to get your second booster. The only person I know who was given any trouble was in the very first week that anyone could get them. Now that many people qualify, I can't imagine it will be a problem.
posted by hydropsyche at 10:32 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by hydropsyche at 10:32 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
You can register online for the CVS booster and just check the box that basically says "I'm aware of the current guidelines; I qualify" and then when you go in, they're just gonna say yep and give you your shot.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:33 AM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:33 AM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
I got my second booster today at a Walmart. I just had to self report that I have or live with someone who is immune compromised. I told them my doctor recommended I get it and they said that was good enough.
posted by August Fury at 10:34 AM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by August Fury at 10:34 AM on May 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
Nobody asked me any questions here in NYC, where I went to a city-run mobile vaccination bus, having registered in advance. (They also happily filled out my original card.)
posted by thejoshu at 10:47 AM on May 17, 2022
posted by thejoshu at 10:47 AM on May 17, 2022
You can also just 'lose' your current card, and say it's your first booster, that hedges against the small chance anyone hassles you over reasons or qualification. I know a handful of people who did this and I don't blame them at all. This isn't like the early days where supply was low, nobody is missing out bc of you.
There may be registries in your state (there is in IL), but they will not check it before giving you the shot.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:05 AM on May 17, 2022
There may be registries in your state (there is in IL), but they will not check it before giving you the shot.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:05 AM on May 17, 2022
Also if you have reason to believe that your immune system is not up to snuff, look into getting Evusheld!
posted by mskyle at 11:07 AM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 11:07 AM on May 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
In Philly you can just make an appointment for Rite Aid or CVS and they Will Not Care. “My doctor wants me to get another booster” was enough for them for me, though I am older.
posted by Peach at 11:08 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Peach at 11:08 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
I actually got rejected from a second booster in CA at CVS - I think it was because on the intake form I marked "yes, i am immunocompromised" but didn't pick any specific disease (perhaps it was further down on the form). Then when I got to CVS the pharmacist said he couldn't vaccinate me since I don't have one of the approved immunocompromised diseases. I tried telling him my doctor said I had to get the booster based on prior covid infection complications, and it was still a no go. He suggested maybe going to a private hospital and paying out of pocket (!!!)
So I went home and read the rules in more detail and found the CDC does not actually require you provide proof of immunocompromised status, "You can self-attest that you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system. This means you do not need any documentation that you have a weakened immune system to get a COVID-19 vaccine (including boosters) wherever they are offered." (citation)
The next day I tried at Walgreens, making sure to write on the pre-vaccination info form that I was immunocompromised (I wrote a very vague reason, not naming a specific disease). They did ask me several times and made me sign a form that says "Yes, i have one of these medical conditions", and wanted to confirm that this was my 4th shot total. I was a lot more confident this time also, knowing the rules, and made it through just fine. Also managed to send one friend through as well using the same technique.
Side note it's insane that boosters are being gate-kept at all at this point in the pandemic where we are more or less being totally abandoned by our gov't. There are plenty available so if you want a booster you should be able to get one, and I'm glad to hear that is the case for others.
posted by internet of pillows at 11:19 AM on May 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
So I went home and read the rules in more detail and found the CDC does not actually require you provide proof of immunocompromised status, "You can self-attest that you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system. This means you do not need any documentation that you have a weakened immune system to get a COVID-19 vaccine (including boosters) wherever they are offered." (citation)
The next day I tried at Walgreens, making sure to write on the pre-vaccination info form that I was immunocompromised (I wrote a very vague reason, not naming a specific disease). They did ask me several times and made me sign a form that says "Yes, i have one of these medical conditions", and wanted to confirm that this was my 4th shot total. I was a lot more confident this time also, knowing the rules, and made it through just fine. Also managed to send one friend through as well using the same technique.
Side note it's insane that boosters are being gate-kept at all at this point in the pandemic where we are more or less being totally abandoned by our gov't. There are plenty available so if you want a booster you should be able to get one, and I'm glad to hear that is the case for others.
posted by internet of pillows at 11:19 AM on May 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
I do know people who have gotten turned away from boosters at Rite-Aid and CVS in the last few weeks, so it seems like it may be specific to a certain store's processes, training, etc. If you have local friends you know have successfully gotten a booster, you may want to ask them for their experience so you know what to expect.
But also, should you try and get turned away it doesn't go on a permanent record or anything, as far as I can tell. So the cost of trying is pretty low.
posted by Stacey at 11:23 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
But also, should you try and get turned away it doesn't go on a permanent record or anything, as far as I can tell. So the cost of trying is pretty low.
posted by Stacey at 11:23 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
I got my 4th at a Walgreens in California a week ago. I called and made an appt through their phone system via 1-800-Walgreens (the website isn't set up for special cases like getting a 4th because of being immunocompromised). I got no questions about the specifics of my health situation, I was only asked to confirm that I was immunocompromised and had to sign an extra form stating I was.
posted by quince at 11:58 AM on May 17, 2022
posted by quince at 11:58 AM on May 17, 2022
(b) 50 and older with certain conditions; and (b) those who were vaccinated and boostered with the J&J vaccine.
For those reading this in other states: California, at least, (b) is interpreting that as "Those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine". My husband and I were both able to get a second booster at Safeway because we'd originally been vaccinated with J&J but 1st booster was Moderna.
So definitely check your specific state guidelines (PA doesn't seem to have any info about second boosters on their site.)
posted by oneirodynia at 4:01 PM on May 17, 2022
For those reading this in other states: California, at least, (b) is interpreting that as "Those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine". My husband and I were both able to get a second booster at Safeway because we'd originally been vaccinated with J&J but 1st booster was Moderna.
So definitely check your specific state guidelines (PA doesn't seem to have any info about second boosters on their site.)
posted by oneirodynia at 4:01 PM on May 17, 2022
If you're immunocompromised you are CDC approved for a second booster, as per this CDC "can I get a second booster" quiz
posted by hungrytiger at 4:04 PM on May 17, 2022
posted by hungrytiger at 4:04 PM on May 17, 2022
I got my second booster at a local compounding pharmacy that does walk-in vaccinations, with no questions asked. I'm 49, and my birthday was on the paperwork, but they didn't ask me anything about preexisting conditions. I had the impression that if you request a 2nd booster, it's not their place to question your eligibility.
posted by mumkin at 6:44 PM on May 18, 2022
posted by mumkin at 6:44 PM on May 18, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cakelite at 10:30 AM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]