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COVID-19 Booster Shot Frequently Asked Questions

UM vaccination webpage

Who is currently eligible for booster vaccines?

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, a single booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for adults ages 18 and up who have already received two doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

Where can I get booster vaccines?

  • Eligible individuals can receive a COVID-19 booster dose at the University Health Center.
  • Check with your doctor, pharmacy, or other vaccination provider about getting a COVID-19 booster dose. Find a vaccination provider »
  • Booster doses are also available from county health departments. Use the online scheduler or call the Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453 for assistance.

What is the difference between an “additional dose (third dose)” and a “booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine?”

According to MSDH, individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may not mount the same immune response to the two-dose vaccine primary series compared to people who are not immunocompromised. Therefore, an additional dose (or third dose in the primary series) to the two-dose mRNA vaccine series is recommended at least four weeks after completion of the primary series.

A COVID-19 booster dose is given to provide additional immunity after the initial immune response to the primary two-dose series of vaccine has waned over time. This will help maintain (or even boost) immunity for longer time periods and provide additional protection.

Who is eligible/recommended for a “third” dose?

Based on data that immunocompromised people may not respond to the initial 2 dose series, the Mississippi State Department of Health shared that the following people are recommended to receive an additional or “third” dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after the last dose (should receive dose of the same vaccine that was received initially)

  • Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
  • Any other medical condition which, in the provider’s opinion, limits the immune response to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary two-dose series.

For full updated guidance for an additional dose or third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised individuals, please see previous Health Alert Message dated August 16, 2021.

Can I interchange vaccines and get a different booster than my original two-dose vaccine?  

The FDA has expanded the use of booster doses of COVID-19 of vaccine to eligible individuals to include Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine in certain persons and to allow for heterologous (mix and match) dosing for booster doses. Please visit CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots or MSDH COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses and Third Doses.

If we need a booster shot, does that mean that the vaccines aren’t working?

According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating COVID variants. However, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection, especially among certain populations, against mild and moderate disease.

What are the risks to getting a booster shot?

According to the CDC, so far, reactions reported after getting the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot were similar to that of the 2-shot primary series. Fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the 2-shot primary series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

Am I still considered “fully vaccinated” if I don’t get a booster shot?

According to the CDC, yes. Everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

Can I get a flu vaccine at the same time I get my COVID-19 booster shot?

According to the CDC, you can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot.

Resources/Links:

  • MSDH: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses and Third Doses
  • MSDH Health Alert: Summary of MSDH Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations (Sept. 29, 2021)
  • MSDH Health Alert: MSDH Updated Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance – Pfizer Booster Dose (Sept. 24, 2021)
  • CDC: Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot?

CDC: Safety Monitoring of an Additional Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, August 12–September 19, 2021

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