With much of the state still battling the coronavirus, KRCG 13 spoke with Boone Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Robin Blount to learn more about the COVID booster shot.

Pfizer is one of three vaccines Americans can choose to receive. However, the approval of the Pfizer booster shot does not mean every vaccinated American is eligible.

“Well at this point, it is not recommended to mix vaccines. We don't have enough data on whether or not that’s appropriate or would work or would give the extra immunity boost that were taking boosters for,” Doctor Blount said.

For those who received the Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine, Doctor Blount’s advice is to wait until the respective companies have their own booster shots available, which she said shouldn’t be too far off.

“Moderna came out about a month after Pfizer so you know, you’re not as far down the line as those that got the early Pfizer vaccine, J&J came out about 3 months later,” Blount said. “So I think really, there is plenty of time for them to get the appropriate information.”

The Pfizer vaccine is currently available to those 65 and older, those with underlying medical conditions, and those who job or living situation puts them at high-risk of contracting COVID. It is recommended to wait six months after getting vaccinated to receive the Pfizer booster shot.

According to Blount, the side effects from the booster shot are similar to the common side effects associated with the COVID vaccines.

“We really aren't seeing any increase in side effects, the usual is sore arm, achy, maybe feeling a little crummy for a day or two, but they aren't seeing anything more than that with the third dose,” Blount said.

Blount encouraged those still unvaccinated to go out and get vaccinated. Even though Pfizer is currently the only vaccine with an approved booster shot, she reminded Missourians that COVID is still here and all the vaccines are effective against COVID.

“COVID is not gone, We just experienced a heavy wave of COVID here in Missouri from the delta variant. The current COVID vaccines, all three of them are effective against this delta variant,” Blount said.

The Pfizer booster shot is available nationally at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. More information on receiving a booster shot can be found here.