Important update: Healthcare facilities

CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more

Find the latest information:
Aquatics FAQs
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage

UPDATE

Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

UPDATE

The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.

UPDATE

Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

Updated May 24, 2022

What You Need to Know

COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination.
People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.
There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
It is never too late to get the added protection offered by a COVID-19 booster. Find a vaccine provider.

Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster

Three COVID-19 vaccines are used in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. You may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.

Who Can Get a Booster

Recommended

1 Booster

Everyone ages 5 years and older should get 1 booster after completing their COVID-19 vaccine primary series.

Learn when you should get your 1st booster below.

Recommended

2 Boosters

Adults ages 50 years and older
People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Learn when you should get your 2nd booster below.

Adults ages 18 years or older

1st Booster:

CDC recommends a booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for: ^{[ 1 ]}

Most people, at least 5 months after the final dose in the primary series
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, at least 3 months after the final dose in the primary series

2nd Booster:

CDC recommends a 2nd booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the 1st booster for:

Adults ages 50 years and older
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Up to Date: Immediately after getting all boosters recommended for you ^{[ 2 ]}

1st Booster:

CDC recommends a booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for: ^{[ 1 ]}

Most people, at least 5 months after the final dose in the primary series
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, at least 3 months after the final dose in the primary series

2nd Booster:

CDC recommends a 2nd booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the 1st booster for:

Adults ages 50 years and older
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Up to Date: Immediately after getting all boosters recommended for you ^{[ 2 ]}

1st Booster:

CDC recommends a booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for: ^{[ 1 ]}

Most people, at least 2 months after the primary dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, at least 2 months after the additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

2nd Booster:

CDC recommends a 2nd booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the 1st booster for:

Adults ages 50 years and older
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Up to Date: Immediately after getting all boosters recommended for you ^{[ 2 ]}

People ages 18 through 49 years who got a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for both their primary dose and booster can choose to get a 2nd booster of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after their 1st booster. The 2nd booster is not required to be considered up to date for people ages 18 through 49 years who got a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for both their primary dose and 1st booster.

Children and teens ages 12–17 years

1st Booster:

CDC recommends a booster of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for: ^{[ 1 ]}

Most children and teens, at least 5 months after the final dose in the primary series
Children and teens who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, at least 3 months after the final dose in the primary series

2nd Booster:

CDC recommends a 2nd booster of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the 1st booster for children and teens who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

Up to Date: Immediately after getting all boosters recommended for you ^{[ 2 ]}

Children ages 5–11 years

1st Booster:

CDC recommends a booster of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for:

Most children, at least 5 months after the final dose in the primary series
Children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, at least 3 months after the final dose in the primary series

Up to Date: Immediately after getting 1st booster.

2nd Booster:

CDC does not recommend 2nd boosters for anyone in this age group at this time

¹ Although mRNA vaccines are preferred for the 1st booster, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

² You are also considered up to date if:

You have completed your primary series but are not yet eligible for a booster
You have received 1 booster but are not recommended to get a 2nd booster
You have received 1 booster but are not yet eligible for a 2nd booster

Stay up to date by getting recommended boosters when you are eligible.

Scheduling Your Boosters

It is never too late to get the added protection offered by COVID-19 boosters. If you need help scheduling a booster, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get a booster in a location different from where you received your previous vaccination, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.

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.

For Healthcare and Public Health

Considerations for Use of a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose

COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

What You Need to Know

Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster

Who Can Get a Booster

Adults ages 18 years or older

Children and teens ages 12–17 years

Children ages 5–11 years

Scheduling Your Boosters

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