Booster Doses
Boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. They are recommended for most people. All COVID-19 vaccines remain available at no cost to the recipient.
Who should get booster doses?
- Eligible for 1 booster: everyone ages 5 years and older can get 1 booster, 5 months after completing the COVID-19 vaccine primary series.
- Eligible for 2 boosters:
- Adults ages 50 years and older who got a 1st booster at least 4 months ago.
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (CDC web page) and got a 1st booster at least 4 months ago.
- People who got 2 doses (1 primary dose and 1 booster) of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine at least 4 months ago.
Do booster doses need to be the same type of vaccine?
- For children and teens who are ages 5-17, only the Pfizer vaccine booster is recommended. Boosters are not recommended at this time (June 24, 2022) for any children or teens who have completed the Moderna COVID-19 primary series.
- For adults 18 and over, CDC recommends a booster of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the type of 1st and 2nd dose.
- Although Moderna or Pfizer vaccines are preferred for the 1st booster, Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations (CDC web page).
Additional Doses
It’s been recommended that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Additional doses are available at no cost.
Who Should Get An Additional Vaccine Dose?
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. Those who should consider an additional Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose include people who have:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.