Q&A: Do I really need a second COVID-19 booster?
In a flurry of federal action, two of the nation’s top health agencies authorized and expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to allow older Americans to receive a second booster shot.
Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shot for people 50 or older at least four months after their first.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the authorization several hours later.
The agency’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said the additional booster is especially important for people 65 or older and those 50 or older who have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease from COVID-19.
Question: Who can get a second booster?
A: Anyone 50 or older who has gotten any approved or authorized primary COVID-19 vaccine series and a booster dose is eligible for a second booster of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna at least four months after receiving their first.
Anyone immunocompromised and age 12 or older is eligible for another dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and immunocompromised adults can also receive the Moderna vaccine.
Q: What qualifies as an “underlying medical condition?”
A: Studies have shown that people who have certain medical conditions are more at risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19, according to the CDC.
These medical conditions include obesity, diabetes, chronic lung, kidney or liver disease, heart disease, smoking, pregnancy and many mental health conditions.
The CDC urged people to talk with their health care provider about their risk as some medical conditions may not appear on the list.
Q: Can people who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a second booster?
A: People who received initial doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive a second booster dose, Nordlund said. The J&J vaccine was initially a one-shot vaccine, though studies suggested that two doses were needed to provide the same protection as the other two authorized vaccines.
Q: Where can you get a second COVID-19 booster?
A: The nation’s top two pharmacies said they’re gearing up to administer second booster doses to eligible recipients this week. Eligible patients will be able to schedule the additional shot online or through the pharmacy app but did not specify when.