This document discusses CHC's efforts to communicate information about COVID-19 booster shots and third doses to patients. It outlines that CHC has administered over 550,000 vaccine doses and now offers boosters through mobile clinics. It notes that guidance on boosters has changed frequently, causing confusion. CHC is working to clearly communicate eligibility criteria to patients through multiple channels like email, recorded messages, and their website. The document provides sample messaging and lists additional resources on their radio station and website to help patients understand the latest recommendations.

1. COVID-19 Boosters and
Patient Communications
Leslie Gianelli
Vice President, Communications
Community Health Center, Inc.
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10/20/2021

2. CHC is a leader in vaccination
efforts in Connecticut
• CHC built and operated Connecticut’s largest drive-
through mass vaccination sites at 4 locations: East
Hartford, Middletown, Danbury and Stamford.
• 550,000 first and second dose vaccines have been
administered since January 2021.
• Mobile vaccination clinics operate in neighborhoods
across the state, bringing vaccines and now boosters to
workplaces, schools, houses of worship, beaches and
parks.
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3. Boosters now
dominate the news
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4. Yet, the public and
patients are confused
• People are receiving information from many
sources about boosters and third doses
• Sources may be inaccurate or misleading
• Official guidance from CDC changing
• “Communications crisis” as confusion leads
to misinformation
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5. Helping patients sort it
all out is challenging!
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6. Parallel Campaigns: First Doses vs.
Third Doses for Immunocompromised
Important Information About Booster Shots of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recommendations, CHC is now administering booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine to established
CHC patients at least 6 months after the Pfizer primary series who meet one or more of the below criteria:
• 65 years and older and residents in a long-term care setting
• 18-64 years with underlying medical conditions (see definition below)
• 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting based on their individual
benefit and risk
*Underlying conditions for a booster dose of Pfizer include:
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and
pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
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7. Important Information About a Third Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Per the CDC’s recommendations, CHC is now administering third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to
established CHC patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. At this time, only
immunocompromised patients who receive their primary care services at CHC are eligible to receive a third
dose of the vaccine.
Patients must have received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than 28 days prior to be eligible
for a third dose. Third doses will be matched with the original mRNA vaccine product received. If this is not available
or unknown, either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.
To receive a third dose at this time, you must be an established CHC patient who meets one or more of the
below criteria. At this time we are not able to give you a third dose if you came to us for a COVID-19 test or
vaccine but have not established CHC as your primary care provider and visited us for a primary care service.
Parallel Campaigns: First Doses vs.
Third Doses for Immunocompromised
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8. Start with trusted sources
within your organization
• Providers and front line staff
• Direct to patient communications via
email and text
• Recorded phone messages
• Call center
• Website
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9. Social Media
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10. Working with Community Partners
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11. Resources
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12. Resources
Vaccine Booster Doses
COVID-19 Booster Dose Updates as of October 15, 2021
Topline message: On October 14-15, FDA advisors made new
recommendations on booster doses.
Topline messages and takeaways on the current status of
COVID-19 booster doses
The vaccines work. The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be
remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease,
hospitalization, and death, including against the delta variant. We
continue to see highly effective protection against hospitalizations
and severe outcomes for people who are fully vaccinated.
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13. Resources
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14. CHCradio.com
Conversations on Health Care
Recent Guests:
Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb (Oct. 5)
NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins (Sept. 8)
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (Aug. 26)
CNN Analyst Dr. Leana Wen (Aug. 2)
Dr. Anthony Fauci (June 15)
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky (May 17)
Upcoming:
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
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15. COVID-19 Boosters and
Patient Communications
leslie@chc1.com
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