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Booster Doses
Additional (Third) Doses
Second Doses

Illustrative figure of a man with a bandaid and a mask on after getting another vaccine dose.

Booster Doses

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be very effective when it comes to preventing hospitalizations and death, but effectiveness against getting the virus may be reduced over time. Boosters increase the strength of your antibody response.

If it’s been five months since your second dose of Moderna, five months since your second dose of Pfizer, or two months since you got Johnson & Johnson, it’s time to boost your protection.

What’s the Latest News on Booster Doses?

*Updated: 01/03/2022

Delaware’s vaccine providers can administer booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 to 15 who completed their initial Pfizer vaccine series at least five months ago. Read more about this news.

Am I Eligible for a Booster Dose?

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Information Sheet

Boost Your Protection - All Delawareans 12+ should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster. You are eligible for a booster dose if you:

  • Are 18+ and it has been 5 months after second dose of Moderna.
  • Are 12+ and it has been 5 months after your second dose of Pfizer.
  • Are 18+ and it has been 2 months since your initial dose of Johnson & Johnson.
  • Qualified for an “additional/third” dose of Pfizer or Moderna because you have certain immunocompromising conditions (listed below under Additional (Third) Doses section). You can get your booster (fourth) dose 6 months after receiving your additional/third dose.

Other important information:

  • You may choose which vaccine you want to receive as a booster dose unless you are under 18.  Pfizer is the only option for those younger than 18.
  • If you recently had COVID-19 but want to get your booster, you only need to wait until you are cleared from quarantine or isolation to get it.

Where Can I Get a Booster Dose?

For a complete list of locations where vaccines are available, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. If you’re looking for a specific vaccine brand, use the search on vaccines.gov that can help you find a location with that brand in stock.
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

Additional (Third) Doses

Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

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 mRNA dose may only be administered at least four weeks (28 days) after completing the original two-dose vaccine series. The CDC also recommends a booster dose (fourth shot), 6 months after receiving a third dose for these individuals.

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Individuals 18 years and older who initially received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible for an “Additional” dose under these conditions, but are eligible for a booster dose of any of the three approved vaccines two months after receiving their initial dose.

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.

For more information, visit  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html

 


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.

Questions?

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.

 

 

Do you or someone you know want to get the vaccine and need assistance? Contact our call center at 1-833-643-1715

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


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