Vaccine Database

Vaccine Update: COVID-19 Booster Shots

COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility

  • For some immunocompromised children aged 5–11 years old, CDC now recommends an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to complete the primary series – a total of three doses. See media statement | Spanish.

  • CDC now recommends booster shots at 5 months after the completion of the primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 and older. See media statement.

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Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Choosing Your Booster Shot
Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. 
Scheduling Your Booster Shot
If you need help scheduling your booster shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster shot in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.
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Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.

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Who can get a Booster Shot?

If you received Pfizer-BioNTech:​

  • Who should get a booster:

    • Adults 18 years and older​

  • Who may get a booster:

    • Teens 16-17 years old​

  • When to get a booster:

    • At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

  • Which booster can you get:​

    • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

    • Teens ages 16–17 can only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster

If you received Moderna:​

  • Who should get a booster:

    • Adults 18 years and older​

  • When to get a booster:

    • At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

  • Which booster can you get:​

    • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

If you received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen*:​

  • Who should get a booster:

    • Adults 18 years and older​

  • When to get a booster:

    • At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

  • Which booster can you get:​

    • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

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*Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

 

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What to Bring and Expect

  • Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.

  • You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.

  • Use v-safe to tell CDC about any side effects. If you enter your booster shot in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins.

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Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Please Review the CDC Website for further detail & more information regarding COVID-19 and Vaccinations.
COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC.gov

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children & Teens

Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:
 

  • Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19

  • Get sick from COVID-19

  • Spread COVID-19 to others.

CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination.
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  • Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.

  • Getting vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss.

Which Vaccine can children & teens 5 years and older get?
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Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

General Outlets for the COVID-19 Vaccine:
  • Your Local Pharmacy's Website (Links to Major Pharmacy's Available Below)
  • Your Healthcare Provider
  • State or Local Government Department (Links Available Below for U.S. States & Links to international resources below)
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National COVID-19 Vaccine Locator

Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.
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Vaccines.gov | Powered by VaccineFinder

Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can:

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Prepare for your vaccination visit.

  • Get tips for how to support yourself before, during, and after the visit.

  • Learn more about what to expect.

  • Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies you may have.

  • To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, you should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.

  • After your COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15–30 minutes so you can be observed in case you have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.

Possible Side Effects
On the arm where you got the shot:

  • Pain

  • Redness

  • Swelling

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Throughout the rest of your body:

  • Tiredness

  • Headache

  • Muscle pain

  • Chills

  • Fever

  • Nausea

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Side Effects & Symptoms | CDC.gov
Helpful Tips to Relieve Side Effects
To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot:

  • Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.

  • Use or exercise your arm.

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To reduce discomfort from fever:

  • Drink plenty of fluids.

  • Dress lightly.

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Visit the link below from the CDC to explore over the counter medication options and advice from the CDC regarding their use. 

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Side Effects & Symptoms | CDC.gov

Cost of COVID-19 Vaccines

You will not be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot:

  • Charge you for the vaccine.

  • Charge you any administration fees, copays, coinsurance, or the balance of the bill after appropriate reimbursement.

  • Deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage, is underinsured, or is out of network.

  • Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination.

  • Require additional services in order for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; however, additional healthcare services can be provided at the same time and billed as appropriate.

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SCAM ALERT: If anyone asks you to pay for access to vaccine, you can bet it’s a scam. Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for an extra fee.

Key Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC.gov

Information Source: CDC.gov (Updated January 5th, 2022)

International Resources for the COVID-19 Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides the most accurate and reliable information about the COVID-19 Virus and Vaccine efforts.
WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard
Information on progress and development on WHO's efforts on the COVID-19 Vaccine and their work with partners.
COVID-19 Vaccines
For country-specific information, visit the World Health Organization's partner site locator.
WHO International
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