What Is a Booster Shot, And How Does It Work?
Booster shots serve as a reminder to your immune system, ultimately providing reinforcements for your body to recognize and ward off COVID-19 as the initial effectiveness of each of the three approved vaccines wanes over time. It is essential to know that the efficacy of the Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J vaccines against severe infection remain incredibly high. Receiving a booster shot will help your immune system prevent mild to moderate infection, ultimately making you and your family safer.
Which Vaccines Have Booster Approvals?
All three Food and Drug Administration-authorized COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) are approved for booster shots.
Who Is Eligible for a Booster Shot?
The following groups are eligible to receive a booster shot if their primary vaccine was Pfizer or Moderna: – Individuals 65 years and older; – Individuals 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions or live in long-term care settings; – Individuals 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings; or If your primary vaccine was Johnson & Johnson, then everyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to receive a booster shot.
When Can You Get Your Booster? Which Vaccines Have Booster Approvals?
All three Food and Drug Administration-authorized COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) are approved for booster shots. Who Is Eligible for a Booster Shot? The following groups are eligible to receive a booster shot if their primary vaccine was Pfizer or Moderna: – Individuals 65 years and older; – Individuals 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions or live in long-term care settings; – Individuals 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk environments; or If your primary vaccine was Johnson & Johnson, then everyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to receive a booster shot. When you can receive your booster shot depends on which COVID-19 vaccine you initially received. – Pfizer and Moderna: at least six months after an individual’s primary series of shots – Johnson & Johnson: at least two months after an individual’s initial dose.
Are the Booster Doses Different From the Initial Vaccine Series?
- The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster doses are the same as the initial vaccination series.
- Pfizer required a two-shot series for the initial vaccination, but the booster is only one shot.
- The Johnson & Johnson initial series consisted of one shot, and the booster consists of one shot. The Moderna booster is half the dose of the original shot. Note that Moderna required a two-shot series for initial vaccination, and the booster is comprised of one half-dose shot.
Source: American Hospital Association
