VIDOH to Follow CDC Recommendations for Second Booster Shots

US Virgin Islands — The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) announced its approval of a second COVID-19 booster earlier this week. In response, the VI Department of Health (VIDOH) will offer second boosters to all immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago as of Monday, April 4, 2022.

Second boosters will be available at all VI Community Vaccine Centers across the Territory. To be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase your protection against severe disease from COVID-19 you must have had your first booster shot at least four months ago. Additionally, CDC recommended adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now also receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

According to a press release issued March 29, 2022 by the CDC, the second booster is justified because the data continues to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. The CDC data went also indicated, that during the recent Omicron surge, boosted persons were 21-times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and 7-times less likely to be hospitalized. CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible.

To obtain the second booster, Virgin Islanders are reminded that vaccines and boosters remain available at: 

• St. Croix CVC will move to the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex. At this new location the CVC will operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will continue to make vaccines and boosters available to all age groups. Because this new location is a smaller setting, appointments for vaccines/boosters are strongly encouraged. 
• On St. Thomas persons seeking vaccines or boosters (for either teens or adults) are advised to go to the Community Vaccine Center (CVC) at located at the Community Health Clinic on the 2nd floor at the Schneider Regional Medical Center.  
• The pop up on St. John at the Virgin Islands Port Authority Gravel Lot will continue Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until further notice. 
• Parents seeking pediatric vaccines for their children age 5 to 11 on St. Thomas can obtain vaccines at the Maternal, Child Health Clinic in the Elanco Building on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling (340) 777-8227. Parents or guardians need to bring identification for themselves and the child as well as the child’s birth certificate.

Please telephone (340) 777-8227 or visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted at each of our Community Vaccination Centers.