Who Can Get a Booster Shot?

On November 29, 2021, the CDC recommended that all vaccinated people age 18 and older get a booster shot. On December 9, 2021, the CDC expanded their recommendations to encourage vaccinated 16 and 17 year olds to get a booster shot.  On January 5, 2022, the CDC again expanded and strengthened their recommendations  that all eligible 12-17 year olds should get a booster shot.

Booster eligibility criteria for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines

If you are 12 years old or older and got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least 5 months ago, you should get a booster shot.  This recommendation includes immunocompromised people who may have already had a three shot primary series.

Booster eligibility criteria for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago, you should get a booster shot.

Which booster should I get?

Your booster can be a single shot of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson if you are over 18. However, the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) are preferred. For 5-17 year olds, only Pfizer is authorized and recommended for a booster shot.  

For Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, the booster shot is the same dose as the first shots. For Moderna, the booster shot is half the dose of the first shots.

You may choose to get a different booster type than the one that you originally received. While some researchers believe that mixing and matching vaccine types may be beneficial, we’re not sure yet if one option is better than the others.  However, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices noted a clinical preference for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson. The best option is probably the option that you can quickly and easily get! If you’re unsure, talk to your doctor about which booster may be right for you.  

Why do we need boosters?

Vaccine protection is shown to decrease over time, particularly against the Delta variant and the Omicron variant. A recent study found that Covid infection and severe illness were significantly lower in people who received a booster as compared to those who did not receive a booster. 

What about all 5-11 year olds?

At this time the CDC does not recommend a booster for this age group unless they are immunocompromised.  Children 5-11 years old who have conditions that may weaken their immune systems and who are 28 or more days from the second Pfizer shot should get a third shot.  Additional data is always being reviewed to determine if it might be recommended for all 5-11 year olds in the future.

The vaccines and boosters are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

First published: December 11, 2021

Last update: January 11 2022, 9:20 ET

Science review: SGB, GSN, ERS, JAB