Updates as of December 12, 2022:

• Aligned with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand emergency use authorization (EUA) of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccines for children 6 months and older.
  

What is the difference between booster doses and additional doses for immunocompromised individuals?

A booster dose is a dose of vaccine that is needed when a person's level of immunity has decreased over time. Booster doses are very common and are a normal part of most vaccine series.

An additional dose for immunocompromised individuals aged 6 months or older is necessary as an initial primary vaccine series is likely to be insufficient, and an additional dose can increase a person's immune response. 

For more information on Booster and Additional Doses, see Related Materials at the top of the page.

Who is eligible for booster doses?

People are best protected when they stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination by receiving their primary series and the most recent booster dose recommended to them by the CDC. For more information on Booster Doses, see Related Materials at the top of the page. 

What vaccine products are available for use as booster doses?

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been granted an EUA to allow for booster vaccines doses for specific populations. Novavax and Johnson & Johnson may be used in limited settings.

For more information on Booster Doses, see Related Materials at the top of the page.

When should I receive a booster dose?

Everyone 5 and older should receive a booster dose at least two months following completion of their primary vaccine series, if eligible. Those 4 and younger should receive their bivalent dose following two monovalent doses of their primary series.

When were booster doses made available in California?

• In September of 2021, Pfizer booster doses were authorized for use in California for people aged 12 years and older.
  
• In October of 2021, Moderna booster doses were authorized for use in California for people aged 18 years and older.
• In March of 2022, Moderna and Pfizer booster doses were expanded for use in California to people in vulnerable groups.
• In May of 2022, Pfizer booster doses were expanded for use in California for children aged 5-11 years.
• In August of 2022, Moderna and Pfizer bivalent booster doses were authorized for use in California for everyone aged 12 years+ and 18 years+, respectively.
• In October of 2022, Moderna and Pfizer bivalent booster doses were expanded for use in California for everyone aged 6 years+ and 5 years+, respectively.
  
• In October of 2022, Novavax booster doses were granted for use in California for those aged 18 years and older for whom an mRNA Updated Booster is not accessible or clinically appropriate, or who would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
  
• In December of 2022, Moderna and Pfizer bivalent doses were expanded for use in California for those 6 months+.
  

Can I receive a booster dose before the recommended time frame?

No, booster doses are authorized for a specific time frame based on the initial vaccine received and its corresponding research and data.

Is a booster dose the same amount of vaccine as doses in the original vaccine series?

The dosage of the primary series or booster depends on the vaccine product and the age of the recipient.

For more information on dosage, see Table 1 in the CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations.

How does someone find and receive a booster dose?

Booster doses are available through all current channels, including healthcare providers, clinics and neighborhood pharmacies. Californians can find a vaccine clinic or make an appointment online at My Turn website (MyTurn.ca.gov) or by calling 833-422-4255.

Can a person get a booster dose from a different manufacturer from their original series, or do they need to stay with the brand for their original supplier?

Yes, if a person is 5 years or older, the booster doses may be administered as a mix and match (heterologous) following completion of a primary vaccine series. Eligibility requirements and dosing intervals remain the same regardless of which booster dose is selected.

Examples:

• If aged 12 years or older, those who received Moderna as their primary series, should receive the Updated Booster dose of Pfizer.
  
• If aged 18 or older, those who received Johnson & Johnson for their primary series, should receive the Updated Booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer.
  

I received one or more monovalent booster doses, should I get the bivalent booster?

Yes, everyone should receive a bivalent booster dose at least two months following any COVID vaccine or monovalent booster dose.

What is the current CA Public Health Order regarding boosters?

Find important state guidance on activities related to COVID-19 by topic. Sign up to receive alerts for updates to California state public health officer orders and public health mandates related to COVID-19 in 14 languages.

Will digital vaccine records be updated to show that individuals have received a booster dose?

Yes, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record will be updated and will show that a booster vaccine dose has been administered. However, your previously saved vaccine record will not automatically update, so a new version will need to be re-downloaded to reflect that you have received an additional dose and/or booster dose.

We recommend waiting five days for your new dose to show up in the California Immunization Registry.

If I get a booster dose, will it show on my digital vaccine record?

The QR code on your digital vaccine record does not automatically update. If you receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you'll have to get a new QR code through the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal.

We recommend waiting five days for your new dose to show up in the California Immunization Registry.

Will an antibody or other test show whether I need a booster dose?

We do not recommend using antibodies or any other tests to determine protection from the virus at this time. There is significant variability from one antibody test to another, and further studies are needed to ensure correlation between antibody levels and degree of protection from COVID-19 and its variants.

Does receiving a booster eliminate the need for further harm-reduction precautions?

To prevent severe illness and death, a comprehensive approach to harm-reduction is needed. In addition to receiving all eligible doses, it is a good idea to keep all Californians safe by staying SMART: masking up to limit the spread of germs, staying aware of rising cases in your area, staying home if sick, and getting tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Should pregnant or recently pregnant individuals receive a booster dose?

Yes, people who are pregnant are eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose. People who are pregnant or recently pregnant are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant. Find more resources on CDPH's Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccines website.

Should people get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they recently had a COVID-19 infection?

Yes. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19. The vaccine improves the chances of avoiding the worst outcomes of the virus such as severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Studies have shown that the vaccine can reduce the risk of long COVID and reduces the severity of symptoms if a COVID-19 infection does occur. Following infection, people can receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose when there are no more symptoms, generally about 10 days, or they can choose to delay by three months.

How do we know booster doses are safe?

Just as with the initial vaccine series, booster doses went through rigorous scientific review to confirm the safety and efficacy of using subsequent doses to protect against COVID-19. This data was reviewed and compiled from global researchers before being authorized by the FDA.

What side effects should be expected after receiving a booster dose?

People who have received booster doses have reported similarly mild side effects as compared to the side effects they experienced when receiving their initial vaccine dose. They reported a sore arm at the injection site and/or mild flu-like symptoms. These reactions are normal and demonstrate that your body is rebuilding immunity to COVID-19.