Mayor Bowser and DC Health Continue to Advise Eligible Residents to Receive Their Booster Shot

riday, October 22, 2021

Boosters Now Available for All Three Available Vaccines in the U.S., Individuals May Choose Which Vaccine to Receive as a Booster

(Washington, DC) – Today, as the District remains very focused on ensuring all eligible residents have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Mayor Bowser and DC Health are also encouraging members of the community, who are eligible, to get a booster shot. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already recommended that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) receive three doses of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) rather than two doses. This third dose, which was not referred to as a booster, was recommended because sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination.

In September, some individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago became eligible for a booster shot. Now, there are booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older

• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings

• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions

• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For individuals 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who were vaccinated two or more months ago. Additionally, eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Residents who received their COVID-19 vaccinations earlier this year should start making a plan to get their booster shot: Find your vaccine card or access your vaccine record by visiting myir.dc.gov, call your healthcare provider to discuss your options for a booster, or visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you. Residents who need support can call 855-363-0333. Eligible residents can go to one of the 153 locations around the city that offer the safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccines.