COVID-19 Additional Doses & Booster Shots

Additional Dose

Sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough protection when they get vaccinated. When this happens, getting an additional dose of the vaccine can help them build more protection.

• Who: Moderately to severely immunocompromised people who previously received two doses of Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Find a list of qualifying conditions in the original email below or on the CDC website.
• What: People who qualify are recommended to get an additional dose of the same Moderna or Pfizer vaccine they received for their first two doses. If a person can’t get the same vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) they received for their first two doses, they can get the other. (People who received Johnson & Johnson vaccine should not get an additional dose at this time.)
• When: People who qualify should get an additional dose at least 28 days after their second dose. The additional dose is the same formulation as the first two doses.
• Where: Anywhere vaccines are offered, including Houston Health Department sites.
• Why: A third dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine helps build more protection for people who may not have received enough protection from the first two doses.

Booster Shot

Sometimes people have an adequate response to an initial vaccination but the protection may decrease over time. When this happens, a booster dose can help “re-invigorate” protection.

• Who: Residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings, people aged 65 and older, people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions, and other groups at high risk of exposure who previously received Pfizer vaccine for their first two doses. Find a list of qualifying populations in the original email below or on the CDC website.
• What: People who qualify are recommended to get a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine. The additional dose is the same formulation as the first two doses. Boosters are currently only authorized for people who received Pfizer for their first two doses. Another vaccine type is not recommended to be substituted.
• When: People who qualify should get a booster shot of Pfizer at least six months after their first two doses of Pfizer.
• Where: Anywhere vaccines are offered, including Houston Health Department sites.
• Why: A booster shot of Pfizer vaccine helps boost protection over time.

These are the current recommendations and may change as new data are received and evaluated.

Resources

We encourage you to utilize the following resources for valuable information about COVID-19:

• Watch the recording of the recent COVID-19 Chat with Dr. David Persse livestream for City of Houston employees at https://youtu.be/AaDnr8_uvr8.
• Watch the COVID-19 Talk with Local Health Authorities livestream every other Thursday at 9 a.m. on HTV’s Facebook page. Replays occur on HTV on Sundays at 7:00 AM/PM and on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM/PM. You can find the latest episode at https://youtu.be/LmR4maQ4A6I.
• Find many other educational videos on HHD’s YouTube channel.
• Find nearby free HHD vaccination and testing sites at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 or by calling 832-393-4220.
• Get comprehensive information about COVID-19 at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
• Follow HHD on Facebook and Twitter at @houstonhealth and on Instagram at @houstonhealthdepartment.