A second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is now authorized for certain people at higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.
- People age 50 and older who received an initial mRNA booster dose (Pfizer or Moderna) at least four months ago MAY RECEIVE a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. A second booster dose may be most beneficial for people who are age 65 and older, or who are age 50-64 with certain underlying medical conditions.
- People age 12 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who received an initial mRNA booster dose (Pfizer or Moderna) at least four months ago MAY RECEIVE a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, age 12+; Moderna, age 18+). This means individuals age 12 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may receive as many as five doses – the recommended three-dose primary series for people who are immunocompromised, plus two booster doses.
- In addition, based on a newly published CDC report, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago MAY RECEIVE a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
The recent actions by the FDA and CDC are another crucial step toward strengthening ongoing protection against COVID-19 for Ohioans who are most vulnerable to severe impacts of COVID-19, including serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
Ohio providers may begin to offer second booster doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to those now eligible as soon as practical. The CDC and FDA will continue to evaluate if a second booster dose will be recommended for any other populations. The CDC is expected to update its website with more information soon. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will continue to share updates with Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccine providers as soon as available.
- Guidance for Ohio Vaccine Providers for Administering Booster Doses
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (must dilute purple cap formulation for 12+)
- Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (no dilution gray cap formulation for 12+)
- Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (12+)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (18+)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (labels with purple borders)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers (labels with light blue borders).
Vaccine providers with questions may call the ODH Provider Call Center at 1.844.9ODHVAX (1.844.963-4829) between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov.