Booster Shot Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Updated Feb. 2, 2022

Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster Shot

Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. You may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.

Who Can Get a Booster Shot

IF YOU RECEIVED
Pfizer-BioNTech

Who should get a booster:

  • Everyone 12 years and older

When to get a booster:

  • At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations
  • Teens 12–17 years old may only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster

IF YOU RECEIVED
Moderna

Who should get a booster:

  • Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:

  • At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

IF YOU RECEIVED
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen*

Who should get a booster:

  • Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:

  • At least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination

Which booster can you get:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations


*Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

Scheduling Your Booster Shot

If you need help scheduling your booster shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster shot in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.


Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.

What to Expect during and after Your Booster Shot Appointment

    • Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot 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 shot 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 shot in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins. You will be able tell CDC about any side effects.
    • A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.

More Information Here