CDC Endorses Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Booster Shots

Strategic Insights -

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed the use of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 booster shots following a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP). The endorsement follows the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) October 20 announcement approving the emergency use of booster doses for both vaccines. The CDC also endorsed the use of heterologous (mix and match) COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, allowing individuals to select their booster dose from any of the FDA endorsed or approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CDC endorsed the use of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 booster shots following a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP).
  • The endorsement follows the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) October 20 announcement approving the emergency use of booster doses for both vaccines.
  • Eligible individuals will be able to select their booster dose from any of the FDA endorsed or approved COVID-19 vaccines.
  • The updated guidelines for the use of a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose are as follows:

+ Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: A single booster dose may be administered at least two months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.

+ Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: A single booster dose may be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series to individuals that are 65 years of age and older, 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19, or 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to COVID-19.

+ Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: A single booster dose may be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series to individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

  • Counties have supported over 190 million vaccinations in the U.S. to date and will continue to play an essential role in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

Statistics:

  • Over 190 million vaccinations have been supported by counties in the U.S. to date.
  • The CDC has endorsed the use of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 booster shots.
  • The FDA has approved the emergency use of booster doses for both vaccines.
  • Six months is the minimum time period for receiving a booster dose for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.
  • Two months is the minimum time period for receiving a booster dose for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Sources:

  • National Association of Counties (NACo) release on October 21, 2021
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) press release on October 21, 2021
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release on October 20, 2021
  • NACo Blog: FDA panel recommends COVID-19 booster shots for older adults and high-risk individuals
  • NACo Brief: The County Role in Vaccines