COVID Vaccine Booster: Everything You Need to Know

Do You Need a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

Most people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus are relatively well-protected from serious illness and death from COVID-19.

But even highly effective vaccines often become less so over time. Early research on vaccines that use mRNA to protect you from the coronavirus, like those from Pfizer and Moderna, suggest that they eventually lose some of their power against infection and serious illness, no matter the variant of the virus (like Alpha, Beta, or Delta). Getting another shot several months after the first round, called a “booster shot,” can help supercharge the vaccine’s effectiveness.

The CDC and FDA both recommend getting a COVID-19 booster shot if you’re eligible.

Boosters for Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines

Anyone who got the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago should get a booster shot if they’re 18 years old or older.

The CDC also recommends Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds if they’re 6 months past their first two Pfizer vaccine shots.

Boosters for Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get a booster if you’re 18 or older and got vaccinated 2 or more months ago.

Can You Mix and Match Booster Shots?

Yes. For example, if you got the Moderna vaccine and you prefer to get a Pfizer booster shot, that is perfectly OK, according to the CDC. You can decide if you want to stick with a booster that matches your initial vaccine, or if you want to get one of the other two. (The three vaccines available in the U.S. are Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.)

Some research suggests mixing vaccines in this way gives as much and perhaps even more protection against COVID-19 infection.

What Else Does Research Say About COVID-19 Boosters?

Boosters are just a type of vaccine, and scientists already know that vaccines are currently the best defense against COVID-19, especially its most serious effects. That’s why it’s important to get vaccinated right away if you qualify, as most people 5 and older do.

Research also has found that:

• In general, antibodies from vaccines decline over time.
• Higher antibody levels from vaccines seem to make the average person less likely to get sick from the coronavirus (vaccine efficacy).
• Booster shots of mRNA coronavirus vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) increase antibodies by about 10 times.
• Boosters can provide you further protection against the Omicron variant. Early data shows that this variant is more transmissible than other variants.

What if You Have a Weakened Immune System?

The CDC already suggests a third dose of mRNA vaccine for people with weaker immune systems, especially those who are “moderately to severely immunocompromised.” This includes those who are getting cancer treatment, who have had a stem cell or organ transplant, who have advanced or untreated HIV, or who are taking certain medications.

Though not technically a booster shot, many people still call it that.

This extra dose, typically given a month or so after the second dose, is meant to increase the first immune response because:

• People with weaker immune systems are more likely to have serious, long-term illness from COVID-19.
• A weaker immune system may not respond as strongly to the vaccine and so may not make enough antibodies to fight off infection and serious illness from COVID-19.
• Even with a good vaccine response, people with weaker immune systems may benefit from extra protection against COVID-19.

If you have a weakened immune system and have had a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, talk to your doctor about whether you might need a booster shot.

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