COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Am I Up-To-Date With My COVID-19 Vaccines?

Everyone ages 5 and older is authorized to receive a primary vaccination series and a booster shot. Individuals who have completed their initial series and received a booster shot, when eligible are considered to be fully up-to-date on their vaccines by the CDC. Howard County Health Department recommends following all CDC guidance regarding recommended vaccinations for their age group. Being "up-to-date" on your vaccinations can mean eased restrictions regarding mask use and quarantine, as recommended by the CDC. 

The Maryland Department of Health offers an easy to use tool to find out if you are up-to-date on your COVID-19 Vaccinations.

More information about booster eligibility is available for the CDC HERE.

Booster Shots

The FDA and CDC authorized booster shots of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for all individuals age 5 and older. Please review the following information.

• If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are eligible for any vaccine booster shot, if you are 18 years of age or older, two months following your initial vaccination.
• If you received the Moderna vaccine, you are eligible for the booster shot if you are 18 years of age or older, five months after your final vaccination. 
• If you received the Pfizer vaccine, you are eligible for the booster shot if you are 5 years of age or older, five months after your final vaccination. 

(Adults 18 and older may choose any vaccine booster no matter which original vaccine was received.)

Documentation of your previous vaccine series will be required. Either bring your vaccine card or verify your vaccine information has been accurately recorded in Immunet, the State of Maryland Immunization database. Individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about their specific situation and which vaccine is best for them.

Find more information about Booster Shots from the CDC here. Booster shots are also available from local pharmacies, retail stores, and/or your medical provider. Individuals who need assistance scheduling an appointment should call 410-313-6284.

Second Booster Shots

The CDC updated its recommendations so that Pfizer and Moderna second boosters are now recommended for adults age 50 and older and people age 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago.

Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago should now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

3rd/4th doses for Immunocompromised Individuals

The Health Department continues to administer 3rd doses of mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccine to individuals considered moderately to severely immunocompromised at all Health Department-run clinics. Individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

The CDC provides additional information about those individuals that may meet the criteria for immunocompromised here. Though no proof or doctor's note will be required at HCHD-run clinics, individuals will be asked to self-attest that they are immunocompromised and eligible for a 3rd vaccine dose. Please bring your vaccine card with you to verify the vaccine type you should receive.

Moderately and severely immunocompromised people aged ≥12 years who completed an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received an additional mRNA vaccine dose may receive a single COVID-19 booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 3 months after completing their third mRNA vaccine dose. In such situations, people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised should receive a total of four COVID-19 vaccine doses. (A primary series of 3 doses, plus 1 booster dose.) Those who received a J&J/Janssen primary vaccine should receive an mRNA additional dose, followed by another mRNA booster at least 2 months following the second (mRNA) dose, for a total of 3 COVID-19 vaccine doses. (1 J&J/Janssen dose, followed by 1 additional mRNA dose, then 1 booster dose. mRNA vaccines are preferred for the booster dose.)

Click here for more information.