Information provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (November 19, 2021) – Following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to open COVID-19 booster shots to all, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)is recommending anyone 18 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose six months after receiving their second Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or two months after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“For continued, ongoing protection, we are urging everyone who is eligible to get a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to get one,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Scientific and medical experts have reviewed the data and found booster doses are beneficial. While we need more people who are completely unvaccinated to get their first doses, we cannot risk losing some of the protection the vaccines have already provided due to waning immunity.”
Early data show that the vaccines effectiveness against COVID-19 infections is decreasing over time. The lower effectiveness is likely due to the combination of decreasing protection as time passes since getting vaccinated, as well as the greater infectiousness of the Delta variant. Getting a booster shot is not uncommon. This happens every year with seasonal flu vaccine.
While you should get the same type of vaccine for both your first and second doses, the CDC has said mix and matching vaccines for booster shots is allowed. For example, if someone received two doses of the Moderna vaccine, they may opt to get a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for your booster dose. Or if another received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, they may choose Moderna for their booster dose. Individuals just need to wait 6 months after their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, or 2 months after their one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Individuals can contact their health care provider or visit www.vaccines.gov to find a nearby location to receive a booster dose. People who have questions about vaccines and booster doses can call the COVID-19 Call Center at 1-833-621-1284.
Lansing vaccine clinics are also coming up soon. Read this article for more information.
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- Local school districts plan more vaccine events before year’s end (November 9, 2021)
