Evidence suggests the protection you get from COVID-19 vaccines and/or previous COVID-19 infection decreases over time. Boosters are required to maintain immunity and offer protection against infection (including long COVID), serious illness, hospitalization and death.
Staying up to date
* For those 6 months to 4 years of age staying up to date means having a completed primary series.
* For those 5 years and older staying up to date means having a completed primary series and a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) on or after Sept 1, 2022.
Age based recommendations
- Infants and children 6 months to 4 years are not eligible for a booster dose at this time.
- Individuals aged 5 years and older who have not received a booster dose since September 1, 2022, are recommended to receive a booster dose 6 months following the completion of their primary series.
- Specific high-risk populations are eligible to receive an additional booster (Spring booster) if at least 6 months have passed since their last dose (or confirmed COVID-19 infection).
Vaccine type recommendations
* See Available Vaccines tab below for more detailed information about specific product recommendations.
Bivalent boosters (Pfizer/Moderna)
Bivalent vaccines are vaccines that target two different viruses or two different strains of the same virus. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines target the original COVID-19 virus and Omicron subvariant(s).
Evidence shows that Omicron-containing mRNA vaccines prompt a stronger immune response and are expected to provide improved protection against Omicron subvariants compared to the original mRNA vaccines (monovalent vaccines).
Monovalent boosters
mRNA (Pfizer/Moderna)
This type of vaccine protects against the original COVID-19 strain. Individuals who are not able or willing to receive a bivalent booster may receive a monovalent vaccine as a booster dose.
Novavax boosters (Protein subunit vaccine)
This vaccine may be given as a booster dose to individuals who are 12 years and older (who do not have contraindications to the vaccine) and who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
J&J - Janssen boosters (Viral vector vaccine)
This vaccine may be given as a booster dose to individuals who are 18 years and older. It should only be given to those who are not able or willing to receive mRNA or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines.