FDA Approves Booster Shots for Moderna and J&J Vaccines, Allows Mixing and Matching
What Vaccines Are Approved for Booster Shots?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines. This decision expands booster options to all three approved vaccines in the United States: Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer-BioNTech.
Who Is Eligible for a Booster Shot?
Higher-risk Americans who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are eligible for a booster shot six months after their initial round of inoculations. This group includes:
- Individuals over 65 years of age
- Those with underlying medical conditions
- Individuals who live or work in high-risk settings, such as first responders, educators, and public transit workers
For the roughly 15 million Americans who got the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those 18 and older who were vaccinated at least two months ago.
Mix-and-Match Strategy for Boosters
The FDA has formally allowed “mixing and matching” of boosters. This means that individuals who received the Moderna or J&J vaccine can opt for a different brand than their initial dose.
Benefits of Booster Shots
The availability of authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease. Data suggest waning immunity in some populations, and boosters could provide added immunity for millions of Americans.
The advisory committee also noted early evidence suggesting that J&J vaccine recipients can more effectively boost antibody levels by switching to one of the two mRNA vaccines from Moderna or Pfizer.
Risks of Booster Shots
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are generally safe, but there is a rare risk of heart inflammation (myocarditis) in young adult men. The J&J vaccine carries a small risk of blood clots in young women.
Some CDC scientists noted that the minor risk of these complications may outweigh the benefit of getting a booster for those that are already fully vaccinated.
Fully Vaccinated Americans Are Still Protected
Despite the recent announcement, fully vaccinated Americans are still well-protected against the worst effects of COVID-19. Coronavirus vaccines are all highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even in the midst of the widely circulating Delta variant.