What you need to know about COVID-19 boosters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now authorized booster shots for COVID-19 vaccines, but with caveats. For one, boosters are currently authorized for some people and recommended for others, depending on which vaccine you got and when, and on your individual risk factors.

There’s a lot of information to unpack in this quickly evolving situation, so the experts at Pitt’s COVID-19 Medical Response Office decided to address the most common questions they’re getting right now.

Who should get booster shots right now?

According to the CDC, the following types of people should get a booster shot:

• Anyone age 18 or older who got a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago.
• Anyone living in long-term care or other high-risk settings. 
• Anyone over the age of 65.   
• Anyone age 50-64 with certain health conditions.

Does anyone else qualify for a booster?

Yes. If you are older than 18 with certain health conditions or you are working in high-risk settings such as grocery stores or patient-facing hospital roles, the CDC says you can get a booster. 

The CDC says schools are high-risk settings. If I live or work at Pitt, do I qualify for a booster?

Yes. The CDC says that adults who work or reside in certain settings may be eligible for a booster based on their individual risks and benefits.

It is worth noting that University of Pittsburgh contact tracing teams have not traced a single case of COVID-19 on any of our campuses to classroom transmission. To keep this trend going, continued indoor masking is required in all public spaces on campus regardless of vaccination status. 

While residence halls may be considered high-risk settings, most students living in residence halls who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine have not hit the six month mark yet. Students living in residence halls who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago should get a booster.

Will we eventually have to get regular boosters for COVID-19 like we do for the flu?

The research on this is still evolving, but the answer will largely depend on how much of the human population gets vaccinated right now. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent new variants from emerging.

Am I not considered fully vaccinated if I don’t get a booster?

If you completed a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna, you are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster — and you should feel good about the protection you already have from your initial series. If you received one dose of Johnson & Johnson initially, the CDC is now recommending a second dose to boost your immune response to COVID-19 a little more.

Which booster should I get?

The CDC says individuals eligible for booster shots can pick between the three vaccines currently available in the U.S. If you are a high-risk patient, it may be best to get whichever booster is most readily available to you. Ultimately, though, it’s up to individuals to choose based on location, convenience and type of vaccine.

The CDC published results last month about the comparative effectiveness of vaccines for non-immunocompromized adults. The summary notes, “Although these real-world data suggest some variation in levels of protection by vaccine, all FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines provide substantial protection against COVID-19 hospitalization.”

Why are boosters even a thing? I thought the vaccines were extremely effective.

The vaccines are extremely protective against severe disease. With that said, immunity does wane over time. Getting a booster shot is like putting icing on the cake of your immune response: It just makes it more robust.

How do I get a booster shot at Pitt?

In accordance with its provider agreement, the Pitt CoVax Vaccination Center is currently offering booster shots to eligible individuals according to CDC guidance. You can book an appointment online and refer to the CDC’s updated booster page and updated interim clinical considerations for more information. For assistance with scheduling a booster at Pitt, call the vaccine hotline at 412-383-4372.

If you have questions about booster shot eligibility, please do not hesitate to stop by the center, call 412-383-4372 or email covaxcenter [at] pitt.edu. Pitt CoVax Vaccination Center staff are more than happy to work clinically with individuals to address concerns.

What should I do with my COVID-19 Vaccination Record card?

Bring it with you to your booster shot appointment.

Why should I be vaccinated at all?

The vaccines are incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death — and at keeping people out of the hospital. Additionally, all COVID-19 vaccines are widely available now. The critical thing is to get as many unvaccinated people protected with a vaccine, sooner rather than later. This even goes for people who got COVID-19 in the past. A vaccine will boost any antibodies you have from natural infection and lower your chances of getting reinfected. If you’ve already been vaccinated, continue to support your friends, family and colleagues in getting their first vaccine dose.

— Micaela Corn

This story was updated Oct. 29, 2021.