Vaccine boosters now available to all adults ages 18 and older

All adults ages 18 and older who completed their Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are now eligible for booster shots, the state Department of Health announced Friday.

The state was following new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which expanded recommendations for booster shots on Friday afternoon after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization for Pfizer and Moderna boosters earlier in the day.

Effective immediately, all adults over 18 who completed their primary mRNA vaccinations of Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago may receive their boosters.

The state said that people ages 50 years and older and adults in long-term care settings should get a booster shot.

Boosters are also recommended for anyone who received Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine more than two months ago.

“We’ve been getting booster shots for measles, mumps, chickenpox, tetanus, whooping cough and other diseases for years,” Health Director Dr.

Elizabeth Char said in a news release on Friday. “Now the research shows boosters will help protect us from COVID19.”

Evidence reviewed by the CDC shows the primary series of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines offer significant protection against hospitalization and death, though that protection diminishes over time, the Department of Health said. Booster vaccinations provide additional protection by reenergizing the body’s natural defense systems.

“We invite anyone who is not vaccinated to get vaccinated soon so they’ll be protected during the holidays,” Char said. “And, if you got your shots a while ago, a booster is available for you today.”

On Friday, CVS announced that it would offer Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots for all adults ages 18 and older starting today at nearly 10,000 CVS Pharmacy locations across the country. Eligible residents can schedule an appointment through cvs.com or the CVS app.

To learn where vaccines are available locally, visit hawaii covid19.com/vaccine/.