The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends booster shots for certain people who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Can I get a booster if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
Any person who received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson is eligible for a booster. You should get your booster no sooner than 2 months after your original dose.
Can I get a booster if I got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines?
You should get a booster if you are:
- 65 years or older
- 50 to 64 years old with certain medical conditions
- 18 years or older if you live in certain settings
You may get a booster if you are:
- 18 to 49 years old with certain medical conditions
- 18 to 64 years old at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure because of where you live or work
You should get a booster no sooner than 6 months after your second dose.
Should my booster be the same vaccine I got before-can I “mix and match”?
Individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may want to get the vaccine they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of “mix and match” dosing for booster shots.
Where can I get a booster shot?
Mass General Brigham has new openings for booster shot appointments. You can schedule an appointment using our website. You can find appointments by specific COVID-19 vaccine. You can book an appointment for a Pfizer booster now. You will be able to book appointments for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters starting on October 28. If there are no appointments, you can check back later or find another location to get a booster.
You can find other locations anywhere in the US by searching vaccines.gov or texting your zip code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.
Patients in Massachusetts can also search on vaxfinder.mass.gov.
What is the difference between a booster and a third dose?
We know that the difference between booster shots and a third dose can be a little confusing. A booster shot and a third dose are not the same. A third dose is recommended for people who got either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and have compromised immune systems. This is because they may not have gotten the level of protection they needed from the first two doses. The third dose provides more immunity. It completes their primary vaccine series. Boosters are an extra dose of vaccine meant to boost a patient’s immune system because of decreased immunity over time.
Can I get a flu shot at the same time as my COVID booster?
Yes, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine any time even if you recently received a flu vaccine. You can even get them both on the same day. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please speak with your doctor.
Thank you for all that you are doing to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe and healthy. Have a happy and safe fall.
Sincerely,
Tom Sequist
Chief Patient Experience and Equity Officer
Mass General Brigham