Need a Booster, 2nd, or 3rd Dose?
Use the navigation to jump to the section of the page you want to go to. Delaware Division of Public Health follows CDC guidance and FDA approvals, so after these agencies make new announcements, this page will be updated. The latest announcement was on October 20, 2021 about Booster Doses.
Booster Doses
What’s the Latest News on Booster Doses?
The FDA has authorized a booster dose of all three U.S. COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen for certain populations. On October 20, 2021, the FDA also approved an update to the Emergency Use Authorization to permit medical providers to administer boosters of any vaccine brand to individuals regardless of the brand vaccine they originally received.
According to CDC, while data show vaccines remain effective in preventing hospitalization and severe disease, a booster shot will help provide continued protection against severe disease in these populations who are especially at risk for severe COVID-19, including those over 65, residents of long-term care facilities, and persons 18 – 64 with underlying health conditions. DPH is encouraging individuals in these most at-risk categories to seek booster vaccines first.
Am I Eligible for a Booster Dose?
Based on CDC recommendations for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot 6 months or more after their initial series:
- People 65 years and older
- People aged 18 and older who live in long-term care settings
- People 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions, which include but are not limited to: cancer, chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases, dementia, diabetes, down syndrome, HIV, overweight and obesity, pregnancy, organ transplants, and stroke.
- People 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings, including health care workers, teachers and daycare staff, grocery workers and those in homeless shelters or prisons, among others.
For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated 2 or more months ago.
For convenience, eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.
Where Can I Get a Booster Dose?
Those who are eligible for a booster shot are recommended to seek vaccine at existing vaccine sites including pharmacies, health care providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for patients), and the following standing DPH Vaccine sites:
- Blue Hen Corporate Center: 655 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901
- Georgetown Plaza: 19 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown, DE 19947
- Canby Park: 1920 Maryland Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805
- University Plaza, 256 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702
Second Doses
When Should I Get My Second Dose?
It is currently recommended that people receive a second dose as close to the recommended timeframe as possible:
- Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine – no earlier than 21 days after the first dose
- Moderna – no earlier than 28 days after the first dose
You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get the second dose early.
Where Can I Get My Second Dose?
You may receive your second dose wherever vaccines are being offered, but you must get the same manufacturer brand as your first dose (i.e. if you receive Pfizer for your first dose, you must also receive Pfizer for your second dose). Many locations will schedule your second dose appointment at the time of the first.
If you are having trouble getting your second dose, email Vaccine@delaware.gov.
Find out what you can do once you are fully vaccinated.
To see what you can do once you are fully vaccinated, go to the What You Should Do After You’re Fully Vaccinated webpage.
Additional (Third) Doses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for the administration of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. Emerging data suggest some people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems do not always build the same level of immunity compared to people who are not immunocompromised, and as a result may benefit from a third dose of the mRNA vaccines.
Providers may administer a third dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to individuals in the following categories who received either vaccine the first time:
- Recipients of organ or stem cell transplants
- People with advance or untreated HIV infection
- Active recipients of treatment for cancer
- People who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system
On Sept. 10, the Delaware Division of Public Health issued a Health Update for physicians reminding them that they may use clinical judgment and consider additional factors when determining a person’s level of immunocompetence (being immunocompromised) – and whether they may benefit from a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna. Providers may consider advanced age, particularly 85 years and older, residency in a long-term care facility, residency in a congregate setting, or debilitating disease and comorbidities as additional factors. *Age or residency in a congregate setting alone should not be considered a determining factor for being immunocompromised.
The third dose may only be administered at least four weeks (28 days) after completing the original two-dose vaccine series.
People who meet any of these categories are encouraged to contact their primary care or specialty care provider with questions or for a vaccine. If your provider is not administering vaccines, you may go to any pharmacy or DPH Vaccination clinic for a third dose. While you do not need to provide written proof of your condition, you must self-attest that you meet the conditions. Visit de.gov/getmyvaccine for a list of vaccination sites.
This guidance does not apply to immunocompromised persons who received the J&J vaccines as the FDA and CDC did not have adequate data to make the same recommendation. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
Questions?
- Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715
- Email Vaccine@delaware.gov
Lost Your Vaccine Record Card?
View instructions on how to search for your immunization records information.
DPH does not replace lost vaccine cards, but Delawareans can find and print their (or their child’s) vaccination record. Anyone who has difficulty finding their record can call 1-800-282-8672, or email DelVAX@delaware.gov. Responses to emails and calls received after regular business hours or on weekends may take up to 48 hours.
Report Vaccination Violations
Submit complaints about a vaccination provider by using this form, if you think they are violating any of these requirements.
Get More COVID Data
For more data on Delaware COVID cases, testing and outcomes, including demographic breakdowns, go to My Healthy Community
Related Topics: COVID-19 Vaccine, Second Doses, Vaccine
