If you need a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, you can now go get it in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. This comes after the CDC recommended the third Pfizer-BioNTech shot for select individuals.
In both D.C. and Maryland, all you have to do is “self-attest,” or self-report that you need a booster shot. This means no proof is needed to obtain the third dose. D.C.’s health department said it will help ensure there are no additional barriers to get the shot.
On Friday, D.C. Health and Mayor Muriel Bowser encouraged residents that are able to get the booster to visit one of 153 locations currently offering the Pfizer vaccine for their third dose. D.C. also offers residents home vaccinations.
To ensure that everyone can #TakeTheShotDC, we’re offering at-home vaccinations to those who need it.
To schedule a free, at-home vaccination, call 1-855-363-0333. pic.twitter.com/fAI5DvI1gj
— DC Health (@_DCHealth) September 26, 2021
The Maryland Department of Health issued a directive Friday that updated their booster guidance based on the new CDC guidance.
For now, the CDC recommendations for boosters apply to people who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. The categories are:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings;
- People aged 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions;
- People aged 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions may consider getting a booster based on their individual benefits and risks, and;
- People aged 18 to 64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may also consider getting a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks.
Montgomery County, Maryland, has announced it will expand vaccination efforts to meet the demand for boosters.
“We are gearing up to increase what we’re doing to help meet that demand,” Sean O’Donnell, with the county’s health and human services department, said during a Friday town hall meeting.
Though no official guidance has been announced by the Virginia Department of Health, the state’s website shows booster shots are also available to people eligible for it.
“Virginia welcomes the decision from the CDC to support booster shots for certain people who previously received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” Virginia’s vaccine coordinator, Dr. Danny Avula, said in a statement.
“VDH has been working with its vaccination partners — pharmacies, health care providers, hospitals and other institutions — to prepare for this rollout. We are confident that we will have enough supply, and that access will be widely available.”
The statement also stated they will establish additional vaccination sites to handle the demand.
To find a location near you for the booster, visit vaccines.gov.
A number of national retail pharmacy chains in the D.C. area are already putting out their word that they are ready to provide booster shots.
Giant Food announced Monday all 152 pharmacy locations across the D.C. region are offering Pfizer booster shots.
Appointments are not required, although people can reserve appointments online. Those seeking booster shots will be asked to bring their health insurance card and ID and will also be required to show their vaccination card at the time of their visit.
CVS Health announced it has made booster shots available at nearly 6,000 CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations across the U.S. People are encouraged to make appointments for third shots online to make sure that they visit a location that has the right vaccine on hand.
Walgreens is also offering booster shots and says, based on CDC guidelines, is encouraging people to also get their flu shot during the same visit to save time. Appointments can be made online.
Rite Aid is also offering booster shots, and appointments can be made online.
WTOP’s Jack Moore contributed to this report.
