COVID-19 vaccine boosters and additional vaccine doses are now authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for most people, as soon as they are eligible.
What is a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
A COVID booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease.
Is it safe and effective to mix-and-match vaccine brands?
Yes, a different type of vaccine to boost immune response after the initial vaccination is safe and effective. Federal health officials endorsed this approach, especially for situations where the original vaccine may not be available. It is important to remember that the data on this approach is still limited, and health officials did not recommend one vaccine brand over another as a booster.
Boosters are recommended for individuals 12 and older who:
- Completed their initial series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least five months ago.
Boosters are recommended for individuals 18 and older who:
- Completed their initial series of the Moderna vaccine at least five months ago.
- Received their initial shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
All three U.S. vaccines — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) — have now been recommended to be given as booster shots. A person is not required to receive the same brand of vaccine for the booster as the one administered for their initial vaccination. You’re free to choose any vaccine brand for your booster. For example, if your primary vaccine was Johnson & Johnson, you could choose Pfizer-BioNTech for your booster shot. The CDC recommends getting Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna if available.
How to schedule your booster shot at Walgreens
If you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, you can schedule an appointment to receive your booster at Walgreens. Signing up online is fast and easy. You’ll be able to see which dates and times are available at Walgreens locations near you. You’ll also see which brand of booster is being offered at each location.
