What is a booster shot?

Booster shots are a third dose of a vaccine you can get 8 months after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series. They are not different formulations but can help grant additional immunity against COVID-19. Many other common vaccines recommend booster shots to offer more protection, including the tetanus vaccine. There are currently no booster shots available for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Why are booster shots important?

All vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective at preventing acquisition of and hospitalizations from COVID-19. Booster shots do not mean that vaccines are not effective.

However, over time immunity against COVID-19 can become less strong. Many new variants have surfaced, and each is better adapted to survive and infect more people. Booster shots give your body more material to better recognize and fight against the virus. Booster shots will be recommended for people 8 months after they have received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines.

When will booster shots be available?

Now, people who are severely immunocompromised, including transplant patients and those receiving treatment for cancer, are eligible to get a booster. This is because people who are severely immunocompromised have trouble mounting an immune response on their own and need more material to reach a level of immunity that others have. Ask your doctor if you think you may qualify.

The Biden Administration has announced a preliminary plan to offer booster shots to other groups like older adults who are vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September.

Is there a booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

There is no booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at this time. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was developed and approved later than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, so there is not enough data to tell if a booster shot will be recommended. As more data comes out, it is likely that a booster shot will eventually be recommended.

If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get a booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine?

As of now, no. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines that work differently than the Johnson & Johnson, which is a viral vector vaccine. There is not enough data to support mixing different types of vaccines.

How can I get more information?

The COVID-19 landscape is changing every day. For reliable information about booster shots and when they will roll out, please refer to the LA Department of Public Health website or the FDA website.