VIDOH to Follow CDC Recommendations for Second Booster Shots

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced its approval of a second COVID-19 booster earlier this week and in response, the VI Department of Health will offer second boosters. These boosters will be offered to all immunocompromised individuals and people over 50 who received an initial booster dose at least four 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 that adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago may also receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

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

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

  • St. Croix Community Vaccine Center 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 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 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 aged 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 and 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 all Community Vaccination Centers.