News from Orange County Health Department
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. Oct. 25, 2021 ― To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated with the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines may now be eligible to receive a booster dose.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended "booster" vaccine shots https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html to provide continued protection.
Moderna: If you were vaccinated more than 6 months ago with the Moderna COVID-19 shot, boosters are now available for people:
- 65 years or older,
- 18 years or older who:
- live or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility,
- have underlying medical conditions; or,
- who work in high-risk settings like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers.
- live or work in a place where many people live together (for example, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, migrant farm housing, dormitories or other group living settings in colleges or universities).
The Moderna booster is a smaller dose than what is given in the first two shots. Be sure to let your provider know you want the booster.
Johnson & Johnson: It is recommended that anyone 18 or older who was vaccinated more than 2 months ago with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster dose.
Pfizer: Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) booster shots continue to be available to anyone at high risk for serious illness or exposure, and who received their second dose at least six months ago.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has now authorized the distribution of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters in addition to Pfizer COVID-19 boosters. Not all vaccines may be available at every vaccine location.
To find a COVID-19 booster visit MySpot.nc.gov to search vaccine locations near you.
Additionally, individuals are now able to receive any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. Limited preliminary evidence suggests that booster doses of one of the two mRNA vaccines—Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech—more effectively raise antibody levels than a booster dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. NCDHHS encourages you to speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have questions about what booster is right for you.
Have questions about whether your personal medical conditions or job might make you eligible? Talk to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse about whether you should get a booster.
Booster shots are available anywhere COVID-19 vaccines are available. People do not need a doctor's note to get a booster shot and may self-attest to eligibility. Individuals who want to receive a booster shot will need to know the dates of any past COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the vaccine brand they originally received. Paper vaccination cards are helpful but may not be necessary. At-home vaccination https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/home-vaccine-providers and free transportation may be available (learn more at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccinations).
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