COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, people who are up to date are protected best. CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 12 years and older also receive a booster shot.
Current Recommendations:
- For children 5-11 years old, two doses of Pfizer should be given 3 weeks apart. There is no booster dose recommended at this time.
- For adolescents 12-17 years old, 2 doses of Pfizer should be given 3-8 weeks apart. (See *Note below). A booster should be given at least 5 months after the last dose.
- For everyone 18 years and older, two doses of Pfizer should be given 3-8 weeks apart OR two doses of Moderna given 4-8 weeks apart. (See *Note below). A booster should be given at least 5 months after the last dose.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for those 18 years and older remains a one dose series. A booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna is recommended at least 2 months after the first dose of J&J. J&J can be used as the booster in some situations.
*Note:
- People ages 12 through 64 years, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the second dose 8 weeks after the first dose. A longer time between the first and second doses may increase the effectiveness of these vaccines, and further minimize the already rare risk of heart problems, including myocarditis and pericarditis.
- People ages 5 through 11 years, people 65 years and older, people at risk of severe disease, or anyone wanting protection due to high levels of community transmission should get the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose, or the second dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 4 weeks (or 28 days) after the first dose.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have specific COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the primary series and booster dose due to their different immune response following COVID-19 vaccination.
Talk to your healthcare or vaccine provider to determine the best schedule for you.
You are considered up to date when you have received all the recommended doses in your primary series COVID-19 vaccine AND a booster dose when eligible. This will give you the best level of protection.
Summary of recent changes for people considering a second booster dose (we recommend you consult with your healthcare provider to determine if a second booster is needed):
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
- Adults ages 50 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
- People ages 18–49 years who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and who
received Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
(Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after the first Janssen booster dose.
Please check the following links for additional information:
DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Texas Vaccine Data Dashboard
CDC - Coronavirus
Contact Information:
Medina County Health Unit
1206 15th Street
Hondo, TX 78861
830-741-6191