COVID-19 vaccine update

A quick guide on the latest news on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced approval for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to be made available to everyone 18 and older who has already been vaccinated. The agencies also recently announced authorization for children ages 5-11 to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Below is some information about which vaccines are available, as well as more information on booster and pediatric shots.

Available vaccines and eligibility

There are three COVID-19 vaccines available:

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine: Two-dose shot given three weeks apart
  • Ages 5 and older are eligible
• Moderna: Two-dose shot given four weeks apart
  • Ages 18 and older are eligible
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen): Single-dose shot
  • Ages 18 and older are eligible

Getting a booster shot

Booster shots are available for everyone who is 18 and older. Booster doses are free, at no cost to you, just like original doses of the vaccine.

Boosters are specifically available for:

• People 18 and older, starting six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines
• People 18 and older, starting two months after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine
• While all adults 18 and older are eligible, the CDC specifically recommends boosters for:
• Adults ages 50 and older who received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
• Adults ages 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

When I get my booster, do I need to get the same vaccine as I did for my initial vaccine?

When getting your booster, you do not have to get the same vaccine that you originally received – the booster can be mixed or matched. For example, those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine may choose to get either a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as their booster shot.

Do I need to bring anything to my booster appointment?

You will need to bring your CDC vaccination card to your booster shot appointment so your provider or the person who administers your booster can fill in your card.

Where can I get a booster and other COVID-19 vaccine doses?

Boosters are available at hospitals, clinics and pharmacies such as Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Walmart and many other locations where COVID-19 vaccines are available. You can find locations that offer boosters, as well as locations that offer the pediatric dose for children ages 5-11, by searching here. Some providers require appointments for boosters, so call or visit the provider’s website to see if you need an appointment.

Stay up to date

As new information on COVID-19 and eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines continues to evolve, we strive to bring you the most up-to-date information so that you have all to tools you need to make informed decisions about your health. Our COVID-19 updates page is regularly updated, so refer to that page to see the latest on COVID-19 news and vaccines.

Posted: November 29, 2021