COVID-19 vaccine booster updates

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for adults age 50 and older and individuals age 12 and over who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

The agency amended the emergency use authorizations as follows¹:

• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least four months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised at least four months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be in administered to individuals 12 years of age and older and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 18 years of age and older.
• A second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered at least four months after the first booster to individuals who have received one primary dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine with one subsequent booster of any COVID-19 vaccine.

For the most recent guidance on who can receive a booster shot, as well as specific recommendations for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, visit the CDC and FDA websites.

UPMC Health Plan is committed to ensuring that every eligible member has access to COVID-19 vaccines and resources to answer their questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Health Plan members can find answers on our COVID-19 FAQ page—whether they are now eligible for boosters considering their first dose.

UPMC offers online scheduling for the COVID-19 vaccines; UPMC Health Plan members can also schedule by calling a Health Care Concierge at the number on the back of their ID card.

For the most recent COVID-19 policy and billing updates from UPMC Health Plan, please see these resources:

• UPMC Health Plan's provider FAQ
• Appendix A – COVID-19 Special Coverage and Payment Policy

5/2022 Recall: Accupril Tablets

Pfizer is recalling batches of Accupril tablets (Quinapril HCl – 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg) due to the presence of a nitrosamine, Nnitrosoquinapril, that was observed in recent testing at levels above the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level. Read the full text of the Accupril Tablets recall."