The Oregon Health Authority announced approval and guidance for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 boosters. These vaccines are now authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and OHA, along with the Pfizer vaccine, for qualitied populations.
Under these recommendations the following groups qualify for booster doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine at least six months after their second shot:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster.
- People ages 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster.
- People ages 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster.
- People ages 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of an occupational or institutional setting that puts them at higher risk may receive a booster. (This includes health care workers and teachers, for example.)
A booster dose for Johnson & Johnson is recommended for everyone who received the vaccine, at least two months after the first dose.
National and state health agencies have also authorized “mixing and matching” of the three vaccine brands for boosters, meaning a person may get a booster dose of a different vaccine than they originally received.
Stay up to date about vaccination recommendations, vaccination events and other options for where to get vaccinated at samhealth.org/GetTheVaccine. If you need help finding or scheduling an appointment, please contact the Samaritan COVID-19 vaccine scheduling assistance line at 855-441-2311.