Adults age 50 and up, immunocompromised people at least 12 years old and adults ages 18 to 49 who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine as both their primary series and booster dose may receive a second booster dose under new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

The 50-plus and immunocompromised people ages 12 and up can get a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their first booster dose.

For adults 18 to 49 who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary series and booster dose, they can get a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their first Johnson & Johnson booster dose.

That makes about 1 million state residents eligible for a second booster shot, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

“VDH welcomes CDC’s updated guidance,” said state Health Commissioner Christy Gray. “This is not a blanket recommendation for everyone. Members of the general population who are staying up-to-date on their vaccine remain well protected from severe disease without a second booster.”

Isle of Wight County has the highest percentage of people in the Western Tidewater Health District that are fully vaccinated (67%) and who have received a booster or third dose (32%). In Surry, part of the Crater Health District, 62.6% of people have been fully vaccinated and 31.5% have received a booster or third dose.

Southampton County has the lowest percentage in WTHD of people who are fully vaccinated (54.1%) and who have received a booster or third dose (25.5%). In Franklin, 63.2% of people have been fully vaccinated, while 28.3% of people have received a booster or third dose. In Suffolk, 60.5% of people are fully vaccinated with two doses, and 26.9% have received a booster or third dose.

Statewide, 72.7% of residents are fully vaccinated, and 33.8% have received a booster or third dose.

Gray said people can consult with their healthcare provider to make the best choice whether or not to get a second booster dose to deal with their own level of personal risk.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen that the older you are or if you’re moderately or severely immunocompromised, the more you are at risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death if you contract COVID-19,” Gray said. “There is ample supply of vaccine available in the state to ensure everyone eligible for a second booster will be able to get one.”

 

Get vaccinated

Everyone ages 5 and up is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To get a free vaccination, go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users can call 7-1-1). Help is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.

 

Vaccines by the numbers

As of March 31, 2022

 

Isle of Wight County

Vaccine Doses Administered: 63,835

People With At Least One Dose: 27,743

People Fully Vaccinated: 25,280

People With Booster/Third Dose: 12,078

Percent of the Population with At Least One Dose: 73.5%

Percent of the Population Fully Vaccinated: 67.0%

Percent of the 5-11 Population Fully Vaccinated: 24.8%

Percent of the 12-17 Population Fully Vaccinated: 57.7%

Percent of the Population with Booster/Third Dose: 32.0%

Percent of the 12-17 Population with Booster/Third Dose: 13.7%

Percent of the Adult Population with At Least One Dose: 84.2%   

Percent of the Adult Population Fully Vaccinated: 76.7%

Percent of the Adult Population with Booster/Third Dose: 39.2%

 

Surry County

Vaccine Doses Administered: 10,130

People With At Least One Dose: 4,337

People Fully Vaccinated: 3,998

People With Booster/ Third Dose: 2,010

Percent of the Population with At Least One Dose: 67.9%

Percent of the Population Fully Vaccinated: 62.6%

Percent of the 5-11 Population Fully Vaccinated:    20.0%

Percent of the 12-17 Population Fully Vaccinated: 56.4%

Percent of the Population with Booster/Third Dose: 31.5%

Percent of the 12-17 Population with Booster/Third Dose: 10.8%

Percent of the Adult Population with At Least One Dose: 75.3%   

Percent of the Adult Population Fully Vaccinated: 69.7%

Percent of the Adult Population with Booster/Third Dose: 37.1%

 

Source: Virginia Department of Health