According to medical experts and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)1, vaccines protect against severe disease, hospitalizations, and death from a COVID-related illness. But, this protection reduces over time. Therefore, additional doses of a vaccine are needed to provide the public with more lasting protection.
What Are Booster Shots?
In essence, a booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine. Booster shots maximize protection against infection.
Who Needs a Booster Shot?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the recommendation is for eligible immunocompromised people. These are people with moderately or severely compromised immune systems, such as people with cancer, organ transplant recipients, individuals living with advanced HIV/AIDS, and people using medications that suppress their immune system.
When Are Booster Shots Available?
COVID-19 booster shots2 will be available for certain people as early as the fall. However, that is contingent upon the FDA evaluating and approving three doses.
Which Vaccines Offer Booster Shots?
Currently, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the only ones trialed for three doses. Both vaccines were the first to receive emergency approval for use against COVID-19 infections. Additionally, there is data proving that these vaccines are slightly less effective at protecting against Delta infections.
The U.S. will not mix vaccines for booster shots.
Why Not Johnson & Johnson?
Data suggests that a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine offers more lasting protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant than the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines3. Experts are studying data to determine if booster shots are needed.