Resource: COVID-19 Booster Guide
After weeks of discussion and analysis of vaccine data, the FDA updated its emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-Bio-N-Tech COVID-19 vaccine to allow for a single booster dose for some groups of people.
Along with the FDA’s amended EUA, the CDC’s similarly updated its own guidance and endorsed the booster vaccine for certain groups of people.
The updated guidance is for Americans who, according to the CDC, are at the highest risk for COVID-19.
Who should get the booster?
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
Can I “mix and match” vaccines?
In regards to “mixing and matching”, or in other words getting a Pfizer booster after having received a two dose series of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, this is currently not recommended or authorized. The Pfizer booster is only for the individuals who have already received a two dose series of Pfizer and fall into the groups named above.
What about a booster for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson?
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have not yet received an updated FDA authorization to allow for a booster vaccine (and similarly, updated guidance from the CDC).
Although boosters will possibly will be approved in the future, as of today the updated EUA is only for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The CDC released the following statement regarding boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson:
CDC will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure appropriate recommendations to keep all Americans safe. We will also evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Sources
CDC Statement on ACIP Booster Recommendations
9/24/2021
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html
FDA Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Populations
9/22/2021
