CDC adds people with risky jobs to COVID booster list

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Today the CDC released a list of occupations that are considered at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure.

First responders, education staff, food and agriculture workers along with manufacturing, corrections, U.S. Postal Service, public transit, and grocery store workers are all eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot.

This is in addition to those who are 65 or older, long-term care residents and staff, and those who are 18 and older with an underlying health condition.

"That part we have to go by the honor system. If a patient comes in and says yes, I’m immunocompromised, at this point we are not asking too many questions and we’re not policing them," said Dr. Nilish Patel the owner of Alexander Pharmacy.

Patel says if you qualify for a booster, you do not need to make an appointment, you can just walk in.

However, CVS is strongly recommending appointments, and Wegman’s is requiring appointments.

Monroe County is not currently providing booster shots. A spokesperson tells News10NBC the County is working out the logistics and will be offering booster shots in the future. So how will your booster shot be documented?

At this time, the Excelsior Vaccination Pass and the Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus only includes proof of your initial vaccine series, not any additional doses or booster shots.

Patel says you should bring your original CDC card with you when you get your booster shot so it can be documented with the date and lot number.

If you lost your vaccine card, you’re told to reach out to your health care provider to get a copy of your immunization record.

These booster shots are only available for those who got the Pfizer vaccine.

If you got the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine you may be eligible in the near future.