COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

Who is eligible for a booster shot now?

All Minnesotans age 5 and older should get a booster shot. The timing of your booster shot depends on the vaccine you received for your initial vaccine series.

If you got Johnson & Johnson vaccine: 

All Minnesotans age 18 and older should get a booster shot at least 2 months after their first dose. 
 
If you got Moderna vaccine (age 18 and older):

All Minnesotans age 18 and older should get a booster at least 5 months after their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine. 

If you got Pfizer vaccine (age 12 and older): 

All Minnesotans age 5 and older should get a booster shot 5 months after their second dose. People who are 5-17 years old can only receive the Pfizer vaccine as their booster dose.

Which vaccine should I get for the booster dose?

Officials have authorized "mixing and matching" COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Adults 18 years of age and older can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) – regardless of what vaccine they received for the primary series. Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred over Johnson & Johnson for booster vaccination. People 5 through 17 years of age are not allowed to "mix and match" and can only receive the Pfizer vaccine as their booster dose.

Talk to your health care provider about your risk, the need for a booster dose, and any questions about mixing and matching doses.

COVID-19 vaccines are effective, especially at preventing serious illness and death. However, evidence is showing that boosters for all adults, given at the appropriate time after your primary vaccination series, can help extend the protection and keep it at a higher level.

How to get a booster shot:  

Visit mn.gov/vaccine to find a provider near you. Contact the provider directly to make sure they are offering boosters and to make an appointment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Second Booster Dose

Who is eligible for a second booster dose?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to include a second booster dose for people 50 years or older and people with certain immunocompromising conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations to allow second booster doses to the following individuals:

• People ages 18-49 years who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and who received Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first Janssen booster dose.
• People ages 50 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
• People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.