Boosters

Boosters

Johnson & Johnson Recipients

CDC now recommends that people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than 2 months ago get a booster shot. Recipients can receive either the full-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, full-dose Pfizer vaccine, or half-dose Moderna vaccine as their booster.  

Moderna and Pfizer Recipients

Moderna and Pfizer recipients are eligible to receive the booster 6 months after their second dose if they are over 16 years old. Recipients over the age of 18 can receive either the full-dose Pfizer vaccine, full-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or half-dose Moderna vaccine as their booster. Recipients under 18 can recieve a booster of the Pfizer vaccine only.  If you are immunocompromised, you should may receive a full dose of the Moderna vaccine. Tell your vaccinator 

Additional Dose for People Who Are Immunocompromised  

CDC is now recommending third doses for people who are severely immunocompromised and who received an mRNA vaccine more than 28 days ago.

You must meet the criteria below to receive a third dose.  The vaccines are still highly effective against COVID-19 disease, hospitalization, and death, especially in those who do not have conditions that cause them to be moderately-to-severely immunocompromised. 

Who is Eligible?

  • People who are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised. 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 respons

--- AND ---

  • People who have received an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech) more than 28 days ago
    • People who received J&J should follow guidance for the booster 

*** Both criteria must be met to be eligible for a third dose

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html 


How do I get a booster or  third dose?

A list of all vaccine clinics in the Middletown area can be found on the Find a Vaccine page. Please visit the Find a Vaccine page to view our clinics. Other organizations may also offer boosters as well. Check their websites or call their offices for information about their clinics. You may also talk with your healthcare provider or doctor's office to get information about where to get a booster shot. 

CDC now allows "mixing-and-matching " booster doses. Switching to a different vaccine is allowed. You may receive any booster you feel comfortable receiving. 


What if I am not Eligible? 

All three vaccines are still highly effective against all known variants in the US and Connecticut, and still offer good protection against COVID-19 infection for people who are not included in the eligibility categories above. Even better, the vaccines have been shown to be even more effective against hospitalization and deaths. Being fully vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from getting severely sick from COVID-19, and the data shows that the majority of fully-vaccinated people have strong protection against illness, and especially against hospitalization and death. 


To protect yourself from COVID-19: 

  • Wear a mask in public spaces
  • Avoid crowded public areas, especially indoors
  • Move social events outside and ask others to mask up, especially if unvaccinated
  • Practice good hand and environmental hygiene
  • Encourage your unvaccinated friends and family to become vaccinated. The more people in our community that are vaccinated, the harder it will be for COVID-19 to spread

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html