The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for booster shots. The expanded advisory now includes all adults ages 18 years or older who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines within the last six months after their second dose. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine you are able to get a booster shot 2 months after your initial shot.
This recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC’s recommendation as well will help propel the country further in increased protection against COVID-19 disease and death.
While all adults are now able to get a booster shot of their choosing, the CDC recommends especially those aged 50 years or older and anyone 18 years or older who are living in long-term care settings or at any increased risk for COVID-19 disease.
The CDC states that regardless of what vaccine you received initially, it is possible to receive the same or a different one. Contact the location of your initial vaccination or talk to your healthcare provider for vaccine options.
Be sure to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to your booster appointment so the provider can note the information of your booster dose. As with the initial dose, side effects are to be expected and are normal signs that the vaccine has begun to build protection against COVID-19.
Below is the statement from Dr. Walensky:
“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”
