The FDA and CDC's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine boosters have recently evolved:
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Please note that many experts are advising Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients to receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccine, as this results in a more effective immune response than a second dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Available data right now show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even due to infections by the widely circulating Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, reduce the spread of the virus, and help prevent new variants from emerging.
Due to multiple logistical issues, and since currently the COVID-19 vaccine is easily available at pharmacies and other vaccination sites, we will not be resuming our COVID-19 vaccination program at this time. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a booster shot, please contact your physician.
