Q: Who is eligible to get a booster?
A: Everyone age 12 and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 booster dose. The following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series, if you received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
If you received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Children younger than 12: a booster is NOT recommended at this time.
The CDC advises people who got a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get the same booster as their initial vaccine, but allows them to mix and match (i.e., get a different COVID-19 booster than their initial vaccine) depending on preference or availability—with the exception of adolescents age 12-17 who are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Q: Will booster shots be the same formulation/dose as existing vaccines?
A: Yes, COVID-19 booster shots are the same formulation/dose as the current COVID-19 vaccines. However, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is half the dose of the vaccine people get for their initial series.
Q: Can people mix and match vaccine brands for their booster shot?
A: 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. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card with you to your appointment for getting the booster or if you need another shot of COVID-19 vaccine so your provider can fill in the information about your additional shot.
Q. What to do if you do not have your vaccine record/card?
A. If you have lost your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record/card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record. Additional information about your COVID-19 vaccine record can be found at CDC.gov.
Q. Should you buy or make a vaccine card?
A. Offers to buy or sell vaccine cards are scams. Do not buy fake cards, make your own cards, or fill in blank cards with false information, this is fraud.
Q: Is the booster shot also free?
A: COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone at no cost, including the booster shot. Vaccines will continue to be given to all people living in the United States, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Q: Will providers accept anyone who says they’re eligible to receive a booster shot? Will people need to show a doctor’s note/prescription or other documentation?
A: Individuals can self-report that they are eligible and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered.
This will help ensure there are not additional access barriers for vulnerable populations to receive their booster shot.
Q: Does this change the definition of “fully vaccinated” for those eligible for booster shots?
A: No. At this time, people are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, (Pfizer or Moderna vaccines), or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine.
Q: Where will boosters be available?
A: For those eligible, getting a booster shot is convenient, and as simple as visiting your local pharmacy or doctor’s office. If you are unable to get the booster at your original vaccine location, check vaccines.gov to make the process easier. This free resource provides accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services in your area. You can also text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you in the U.S.
Q: Is it safe to co-administer COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, like flu?
A: Yes, if a patient is eligible, both flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same visit, as recommended by CDC and ACIP. In addition to flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine can be given with other vaccines as well.