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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone over the age of 18 who has received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine receive a booster six months after their second dose to help strengthen and extend protections against COVID- 19. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the enhancers for such use today .
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster became available in late October and is recommended for people 18 years of age and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
“I encourage all adults to receive their COVID-19 booster for safer holiday gatherings with loved ones,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD “With the recent authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, now almost everyone in the family can get vaccinated or boosted. Don’t wait to get vaccinated. ”
Additionally, fully vaccinated individuals who received their first COVID-19 vaccinations outside of the US. Or in clinical trials with a currently unauthorized brand they can now receive a booster shot from Pfizer when eligible.
Those over 50 or at high risk should get a booster now.
Recent studies indicate that while protection against serious illness and death remains strong for people who are fully vaccinated, people may be more likely to develop milder or asymptomatic COVID-19 over time.
People can receive any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the type of vaccine they originally received, and others may prefer to receive a different booster. Limited preliminary evidence suggests that booster doses of one of the two mRNA vaccines, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, increase antibody levels more effectively than a booster dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“If you are 50 or older, I urge you to get your booster as soon as you hit the six-month mark so that you are well protected, especially as we approach winter and the holidays,” Secretary Cohen said.
All people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of age, should receive a booster two months after the injection.
NCDHHS encourages people to speak with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if they have questions about which booster is right for them.
Booster shots are available anywhere COVID-19 vaccines are available, and people don’t need a doctor’s note to get a booster shot. Individuals who wish to receive a booster will need to know the dates and brand of their previous COVID-19 vaccine.
Paper vaccination cards are helpful but may not be necessary. Anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine in a doctor’s office, an independent pharmacy (other than a chain), a health department, or at a community event can access the vaccine information on the Access Portal of the NCDHHS. Home vaccination and free transportation may be available.
In addition to adult boosters, the CDC recently recommended that children ages 5 to 11 receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect them from serious illness and COVID-19 complications.
“Parents should vaccinate their children as a safe and proven way to keep them healthy and make them safe again with family and friends,” Secretary Cohen said.
More information about vaccines for children can be found on the NCDHHS website .
North Carolina’s actions are based on FDA clearance and CDC recommendations. Read the full FDA statement here and the full CDC statement here.
Visit the NCDHHS website for more information on boosters and extra doses .
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina or to find a vaccination location, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center toll-free at 888-675-4567.
