Amid the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, the Food and Drug Administration authorized and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended to expand eligibility of COVID-19 boosters to all individuals 16 and older. Just as with adults, 16-and 17-year-olds are eligible to receive a booster dose six months after their second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Because Pfizer’s vaccine and booster shots are the only ones that have been cleared for use in children under 18, “mixing and matching” vaccines and boosters is not an option for this age group.
ThedaCare will begin scheduling booster vaccinations for those 16 and older on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
“We know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective,” said Dr. Mark Cockley, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer. “ThedaCare strongly encourages those who are 16 and older to get their booster if they are at least six months post their initial Pfizer vaccination series.”
Appointments are available at this time in various locations throughout the ThedaCare service area. Children who are being vaccinated will need to have a parent/guardian with them at the vaccination appointment for consent. Written consent will not be accepted. In addition to recent updates about booster vaccines for those 16 and older, the CDC has also approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s lower-dose COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
In addition to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, ThedaCare recommends all communities adhere to masking guidelines from the CDC, stay home when you are feeling sick, get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and physically distance when you are with others outside of your household.
How to Schedule
ThedaCare will continue to manage COVID-19 vaccine scheduling through the preferred method of MyThedaCare/My Chart. This process ensures a single channel of coordination of the vaccine and that the vaccine becomes part of patients’ electronic medical records. ThedaCare patients and community members can also schedule appointments by calling 920.830.6877 or 800.236.2236.
Available appointments will show, based on which vaccine(s) are selected, and patients can select their preferred appointment time and location. Please check back if available appointments are unavailable or do not work for your schedule. ThedaCare is building vaccine schedules based on available doses and resources. Eligible community members can also seek a booster vaccination by visiting www.vaccines.gov/ to find additional locations.
Individuals do not need to be an established ThedaCare patient to a receive Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots, additional COVID-19 doses or any COVID-19 vaccination. If you’re not a current ThedaCare patient or do not have MyThedaCare, you can set up a free account at MyThedaCare.org. MyThedaCare is also accessible on mobile devices through the MyChart app (available on both iOS and Android).
Create a MyThedaCare Account:
- Visit MyThedaCare.org
- Click “Sign Up Now” and follow the prompts
- Visit MyThedaCare today to ensure your account information is up to date*. Then monitor your email and app alerts in the coming weeks for your notification.
If you cannot find the information you need or are having trouble accessing your MyThedaCare account, please call the MyThedaCare technical help desk at 877.259.6180.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 600,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 health care professionals. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including seven hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique best lives. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.
For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
