Booster Shots and Third Doses for COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend COVID-19 boosters or additional vaccine doses for individuals who meet certain criteria.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging.
The information below is frequently updated. Please review all recommendations from the CDC about COVID-19 boosters and additional vaccine doses. For more information from CRCHC, please see the files attached to this post.
Para español, por favor haga clic en los archivos adjuntos a continuación para obtener información sobre inyecciones y refuerzos adicionales de COVID-19.
What is a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
A COVID booster shot is an additional dose of the COVID vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer.
What is an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
An additional dose is administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. This additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is intended to improve immunocompromised people's response to their initial vaccine series.
Is CRCHC offering boosters or additional doses?
Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers has limited booster/additional dose appointments at some of its locations. Currently, CRCHC offers Moderna vaccines only.
Retail pharmacies, mobile vaccination clinics (walk-up) and local and state vaccination sites also offer booster appointments. Some locations may offer walk-up vaccination times.
Would an additional COVID shot have to be the same brand of vaccine I got originally?
The FDA has authorized three vaccine boosters — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson — and determined that it is safe for individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster or additional dose that is a different brand than the initial dose or doses. Currently, CRCHC offers Moderna only.
Retail pharmacies, mobile vaccination clinics (walk-up) and local and state vaccination sites also offer booster appointments. Some locations may offer walk-up vaccination times.
Can I get a booster COVID-19 shot if I received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine?
Yes. The CDC and FDA recommend that if you received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine at least two months ago and are age 18 or older that you recieve a booster shot. Currently, CRCHC offers Moderna only.
Your Vaccination Card and Additional COVID-19 Shots
At your first vaccination appointment, you should have received a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it. Bring this vaccination card to your booster or additional dose vaccination appointment.
If you did not receive a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
If your card has become lost or damaged and you received your shots in North Carolina, you can view and print your COVID-19 vaccination records through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).