COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are safe, effective and free!
Vaccines and boosters are your best protection against severe COVID illness and death – even from highly contagious COVID variants! Everyone ages 5 years and older should get a booster to help protect against severe disease caused by infection with COVID-19.
Data continues to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For individuals eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit.
CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible.
What you need to know
- COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have waned over time after your primary series vaccination.
- People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes a booster for many people.
- There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Choosing your COVID-19 booster
Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. You may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.
Who can get a booster
- Eligible for 1 booster:
- Everyone ages 5 years and older can get 1 booster after completing their COVID-19 vaccine primary series.
- Eligible for 2 boosters:
- Adults ages 50 years and older
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- People who received 2 doses (1 primary dose and 1 booster) of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Getting a 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster
People in certain groups or situations are now eligible to get a 2nd COVID-19 booster. If you are eligible, it is up to you whether to get a 2nd booster right now, based on the benefits and risks. Your healthcare provider can help you review your options.
Here are factors to think about as you consider a 2nd booster:
- Are you eligible?
- Right now, you are eligible for a 2nd COVID-19 booster if you:
- Are 50 years of age or older and got your 1st booster at least 4 months ago
- Are 12 years of age or older, and are moderately or severely immunocompromised, and got your 1st booster at least 4 months ago
- Are 18 years of age or older and got 2 doses of J&J/Janssen vaccine at least 4 months ago
- Right now, you are eligible for a 2nd COVID-19 booster if you:
- If you are eligible (see above), are you (or is someone you live with) more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or be exposed to the virus?
- Certain factors can make it more likely that someone will get very sick from COVID-19 or be exposed:
- Being moderately or severely immunocompromised
- Being more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 through your job, where you live, or other factors (such as frequent travel or large gatherings)
- Being in an area with medium to high COVID-19 community levels
- Living with someone who is unvaccinated
- Certain factors can make it more likely that someone will get very sick from COVID-19 or be exposed:
- If you are eligible, can you wait?
- Even if you are eligible for a 2nd booster, you may consider waiting to get a 2nd booster if you:
- Had COVID-19 within the past 3 months
- Feel that getting a 2nd booster now would make you not want to get another booster in the future (a 2nd booster may be more important in fall of 2022, or if a new vaccine for a future COVID-19 variant becomes available)
- Even if you are eligible for a 2nd booster, you may consider waiting to get a 2nd booster if you:
If you get a 2nd booster
- Make sure it has been at least 4 months since your 1st COVID-19 booster.
- Remember that 2nd boosters can only be Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (and for people ages 12 to 17 years, only Pfizer-BioNTech).
- You can self-attest that you have a moderately or severely weakened immune system. This means you do not need any documentation that you have a weakened immune system to get a COVID-19 vaccine (including boosters) wherever they are offered.
Scheduling your booster
- If you need help scheduling your booster, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster in a location different from where you received your previous vaccination, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.
- Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster:
- Search vaccines.gov or NYS mass vaccination site websites
- text your ZIP code to 438829
- call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
For more information, please visit the CDC COVID-19 website at CDC COVID-19 Information.
Last Updated on August 18, 2024