Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine recommend­ations

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COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and those around you from contracting the virus. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been shown to be 95% effective at preventing individuals from contracting the virus, but for those who do, studies show they are 100% effective at preventing severe illness that could lead to hospitalization or death. 

We understand how confusing it can be navigating all of the guidelines for receiving a COVID vaccine. For an easy, straightforward guideline of when and what vaccines to get to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, continue reading below!

The amount of COVID vaccines that you will need and the amount of time apart they should be administered is up to age and the vaccines received:

11 and Under

  • If you receive the Moderna vaccine, to be fully vaccinated, you will only need 2 shots: 1 initial dose and a second dose 4-8 weeks after the first. This is the primary series of the Moderna shots and you are not recommended to get a booster until you are over 11 years old
  • If you receive the Pfizer vaccine, you will need the primary series of 2 shots (the initial dose and a follow up 3-8 weeks later), plus a booster dose at least 5 months after your second dose. You should ensure that this booster dose is also Pfizer, not Moderna or a different brand.
    • *under 5 years of age should receive their booster dose at least 8 weeks after the initial dose instead of 5 months

12-17

  • If you receive the Pfizer vaccine, you will need the primary series of 2 shots (the initial dose and a follow up 3-8 weeks later), plus a booster dose at least 2 months after your second dose. You should ensure that this booster dose is also Pfizer, not Moderna or a different brand.
  • If you receive the Moderna vaccine, to be fully vaccinated, you will need the primary series of 2 shots (1 initial dose and a second dose 4-8 weeks after the first), plus a Pfizer booster dose at least 2 months after your second dose. This booster can only be Pfizer, not Moderna.
  • If you receive the Novavax vaccine, to be fully vaccinated, you will need the primary series of 2 shots (1 initial dose and a second dose 3-8 weeks after the first), plus a Pfizer booster dose at least 2 months after your second dose. This booster can only be Pfizer, not Moderna or Novavax.

18 and Older

  • For all vaccines, you should receive the primary series (1 shot for Johnson & Johnson, 2 for all other brands), plus a Pfizer OR Moderna booster dose at least 2 months after finishing your primary series.

If you received your booster dose before Labor Day weekend of 2022, you should receive a second booster dose at least 2 months after your last dose. This is because the booster dose has been updated to protect against other strains of COVID-19 such as Omicron, and will provide you with the most protection possible.

For more information on COVID-19 Vaccines, check out https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#recommendations

For county-specific resources, such as where to receive a vaccine, check the links below:

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