ADHS reviews mix and matching booster shots

Says brand of first dose doesn't matter, patients can choose booster

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has officially authorized Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

FDA officials clarified that this approval only applies to eligible individuals. However, it does grant patients the freedom to choose booster shots of a different vaccine type than the brand they may have originally vaccinated with.

“Booster doses are safe, free, highly effective, and widely available around Arizona,” said Don Herrington, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “If you are eligible for a booster, I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your vaccine protection and, if you wish, take advantage of the flexibility offered by this updated guidance.”

If someone was originally vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, the FDA recommends a single booster dose at least six months after completion of the two-dose primary series.

This recommendation only extends to people 65 and older and those 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions or who live or work in situations putting them at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.

According to Herrington, the Moderna booster dose is essentially half the dose administered in the primary series.

Whereas if someone first chose the Janssen vaccine, it's recommended that they dose up on a single booster shot at least two months after their initial dose. The FDA is only recommending this option for patients 18 years and older.

Finally, if a person was originally vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, officials recommend that they recieve a single booster dose six months after the primary series.

This recommendation is only for those 65 years and older, or people 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions or who live or work in situations putting them at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.