On Thursday, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution that calls for the development of a comprehensive COVID-19 booster shot strategy. Joe Biden’s booster shot rollout, which was announced on August 18, is scheduled to begin the week of September 20.
“As recommended booster shots quickly approach, this policy ensures we have a targeted strategy in place that takes into account all of the lessons learned from the initial vaccine rollout,” said Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes. “This needs to go beyond fixing the technical issues. We need a plan that is readily available to Austinites, laying out how we’re going to get booster shots in arms while still addressing low vaccination rates, especially in our communities of color.”
The resolution calls for a booster shot strategy that:
•Is equitable;
•Builds on lessons learned;
•Accounts for the need to address ongoing vaccine access issues affecting communities most impacted by COVID-19;
•Builds on the City’s recent commitment to increase its Community Health Worker staffing and improve health education; and
•Calls for a robust community engagement and communication strategy.
Third doses are currently recommended eight months after the initial course of the two-dose vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. However, those with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are eligible now. Booster shots for single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines are still pending. For more information, visit austintexas.gov/covid19.
