22/10/2021
DISCLAIMER: The following information is from the CDC. We are not an official medical source. Speak to your health care professional with any individual concerns about whether you should get a booster OR an additional dose as an immunocompromised individual.
This information is updated as of 10/21/2021:
To find a vaccine location in your area, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/.
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. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
MODERNA/PFIZER BOOSTERS
A booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines has been approved to be given six months after the completion of the second dose for the following groups:
Vaccinated individuals aged 65 or older
Individuals at high risk for severe COVID-19:
-Those in long-term care facilities (regardless of age)
-Those 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions
-Those 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, based on individual benefit/risk
-Those 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, based on individual benefit/risk
**Underlying medical conditions include: cancer, stroke or cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases, dementia or other neurological conditions, diabetes (Type 1 & 2), Down Syndrome, heart conditions, HIV infection, immunocompromised state, liver disease, obesity, pregnancy or recent pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking (current or former), stem cell or organ transplant, and substance use disorders.
**Patients can self-attest to being included in a high-risk category.
**For those who have not received their annual flu shot, CDC states "COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day." This means you can get your flu shot and a COVID vaccine (any number in the series) on the same day.
J&J BOOSTERS
J&J boosters have been approved for all individuals 18+ two months after initial dose.
THIS IS SEPARATE INFORMATION FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS:
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
-CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This includes 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
-People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
