CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
The CDC recently updated its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received a two dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine followed by an initial mRNA booster dose at least 4 months ago, as well as those who received a primary Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine followed by an mRNA booster dose of at least 4 months ago, to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for updated information on boosters. Visit California’s MyTurn website to schedule your shot or booster.
What to Expect during and after Your Booster Shot Appointment
Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first dose or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
If you have enrolled in v-safe, enter your booster dose in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins. You will be able to tell CDC about any side effects.
A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their first booster. Getting a second booster is not necessary to be considered up to date at this time.
You can access your digital vaccine record by visiting California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal.
Why Boosters Are Important
Data continue to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit.
Rochelle Walensky MD, CDC director, stressed that boosters are "especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19 as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time." Dr. Walensky added, "CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans.”
