COVID-19 Booster Vaccine

In Quarter 4 of 2021, the KelseyCare Advantage newsletter provided information about the COVID-19 vaccination booster dose. With rapid, daily changes made to the vaccination guidelines approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of 11/29/2021, information provided below supersedes all previously communicated updates.

WHAT IS A BOOSTER DOSE?

There is a possibility with new variants of COVID-19 that immunity and efficacy with previous vaccine schedules may decrease. The role of a booster vaccination would be to prolong and broaden immunity after the vaccination primary series.

WHAT DOES VACCINATION PRIMARY SERIES MEAN?

The primary series of COVID-19 vaccines refers to the completion of two doses (or three doses in persons with moderate to severe immunocompromise) of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations which include Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna OR one dose (or two doses in persons with moderate to severe immunocompromise) of the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

If you received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna

When to get a booster:

At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

Which booster should you get?

Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

If you received Johnson & Johnson's Janssen

When to get a booster:

At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination

Which booster should you get?

Any of the COVID-19 Vaccines authorized in the United States.

WHO NEEDS A BOOSTER DOSE?

All adults ages 18 and older are recommended to receive a booster dose.

WHICH BOOSTER SHOT SHOULD I GET?

Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. You can consult with your physician as to which booster shot is most suitable for you. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Is There a Risk with an Additional Dose?

The CDC states, “There is limited information about the risks of receiving an additional dose of vaccine, and the safety, efficacy, and benefit of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people continues to be evaluated. So far, reactions reported after the third mRNA dose were similar to that of the two-dose series: fatigue and pain at injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most symptoms were mild to moderate. However, as with the two-dose series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.”

This information is accurate as of 11/29/2021. FDA and CDC are continually updating their recommendations as further research comes out. Please see sources below for the most accurate and up to date information:

CDC Statement on ACIP Booster Recommendations | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot | CDC

COVID-19 Vaccines | FDA

Sources:

COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People | CDC