Aquatics FAQs
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage
COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
What You Need to Know
- COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have waned 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 a booster for many people.
- 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 authorized or approved for use 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
Everyone ages 12 years and older can get 1 booster after completing their COVID-19 vaccine primary series.
Learn when you can get your 1st booster below.
- Adults ages 50 years and older
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- People who got 2 doses (1 primary dose and 1 booster) of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Learn when you can get your 2nd booster below and what you should consider.
Adults ages 18 or older
Children and teens ages 12–17 years
Children ages 5–11 years
1 If you have completed your primary series—but are not yet eligible for a booster dose—you are also considered up to date. Stay up to date by getting 1 booster when you are eligible. Getting a second booster is not necessary to be considered up to date at this time.
2 Although mRNA vaccines are preferred for the first booster, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.
Getting a 2nd COVID-19 Vaccine Booster
People in certain groups or situations are now eligible to get a 2nd COVID-19 booster. If you are eligible, it is up to you whether to get a 2nd booster right now, based on the benefits and risks of a 2nd booster. Your healthcare provider can help you review your options. Here are factors pdf icon[70 KB, 1 page] to think about as you consider a 2nd booster.
- Are 50 years of age or older and got your 1st booster at least 4 months ago
- Are 12 years of age or older, and are moderately or severely immunocompromised, and got your 1st booster at least 4 months ago
- Are 18 years of age or older and got 2 doses of J&J/Janssen vaccine at least 4 months ago
- Being moderately or severely immunocompromised
- Being more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 through your job, where you live, or other factors (such as frequent travel or large gatherings)
- Being in an area with medium to high COVID-19 community levels
- Living with someone who is unvaccinated
- Had COVID-19 within the past 3 months
- Feel that getting a 2nd booster now would make you not want to get another booster in the future (a 2nd booster may be more important in fall of 2022, or if a new vaccine for a future COVID-19 variant becomes available)
If You Get a 2nd Booster
- Make sure it has been at least 4 months since your 1st COVID-19 booster.
- Remember that 2nd boosters can only be Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (and for people ages 12 to 17 years, only Pfizer-BioNTech).
- You can self-attest that you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system. This means you do not need any documentation that you have a weakened immune system to get a COVID-19 vaccine (including boosters) wherever they are offered.
Scheduling Your Booster
It is never too late to get the added protection offered by a COVID-19 booster. If you need help scheduling your booster, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your 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.