Updated 06/20/22

What You Need to Know

• CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster, if eligible.
• More information on children & teens receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the CDC COVID-19 website.

Children and Teens Who Have Already Had COVID-19 Should Still Get Vaccinated

Emerging evidence indicates that people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.   Even if a child has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated. For children who have been infected with COVID-19, their next dose can be delayed 3 months from when symptoms started or, if they did not have symptoms, when they received a positive test. This possible delay can happen with a primary dose or a booster dose.

Read the science about immunity from COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

The CDC now recommends a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 and older. They can receive a booster if it’s been at least 5 months since they completed the primary vaccination series. The booster is shown to raise antibody levels in this age group, keeping them and the people around them protected from COVID. Like the primary vaccine series, the COVID booster is safe and effective. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have questions.

We are seeing an increase of COVID-19 across the state right now as well as an increase in the number of people who are being hospitalized. Given trends in other areas of the country, we expect to see sustained increases over the coming weeks.

This is a good reminder that if you aren’t up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, including getting a booster dose, now is the time to do so. The vaccines provide protection from COVID-19 and can protect you from serious illness and the inconveniences of missed work and other activities.

Research from CDC shows that a booster shot dramatically reduces your risk for severe illness from COVID, especially if you’re at high-risk for serious disease. In fact, data shows that the booster dose is actually more effective at reducing risk in vulnerable people than in average, healthy people.

A booster dose could save your life. CDC says “Protection against infection and death during the Delta-predominant period and against infection during the Omicron emergence were higher among booster vaccine dose recipients…”

Individuals age 50+, or who are 12+ with a qualifying medical condition, may receive a second booster 4 months after their initial booster. Additionally, adults who received a Johnson & Johnson primary dose and a Johnson & Johnson booster dose may receive a second booster of an mRNA vaccine 4 months after initial booster.

The CDC has updated and shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine period for the general population. Details can be found on their website.

Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster Shot

Three COVID-19 vaccines are authorized or approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred.  You may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.

Who Can Get a Booster Shot

^{IF YOU RECEIVED}
Pfizer-BioNTech

Who should get a booster:

• Everyone 12 years and older

When to get a booster:

• At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:

• Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations
• Teens 12–17 years old may only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster

^{IF YOU RECEIVED}
Moderna

Who should get a booster:

• Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:

• At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series

Which booster can you get:

• Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

^{IF YOU RECEIVED}
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen*

Who should get a booster:

• Adults 18 years and older

When to get a booster:

• At least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination

Which booster can you get:

• Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most* situations

^*Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations.

Update: Individuals age 50+, or who are 12+ with a qualifying medical condition, may receive a second booster 4 months after their initial booster. Additionally, adults who received a Johnson & Johnson primary dose and a Johnson & Johnson booster dose may receive a second booster of an mRNA vaccine 4 months after initial booster.

Scheduling Your Booster Shot

If you need help scheduling your booster shot, contact the location that set up your previous appointment. If you need to get your booster shot in a location different from where you received your previous shot, there are several ways you can find a vaccine provider.

What to Expect during and after Your Booster Shot Appointment

• Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
• You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
• Use v-safe to tell CDC about any side effects. If you enter your booster shot in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins.

If You Were Vaccinated Outside of the United States

If you completed a Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine primary series outside of the United States you should follow the guidance above for booster shots. 

Otherwise, if you were vaccinated abroad with other COVID-19 vaccines you can get a booster shot if you are 18 years or older and you either: 

• Received all the recommended doses of a World Health Organization emergency use listing (WHO-EUL) COVID-19 vaccineexternal icon, not approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
• Or completed a mix and match series composed of any combination of FDA-approved, FDA-authorized, or WHO-EUL COVID-19 vaccines 

If you meet the above requirements you can get a single booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after getting all recommended doses or completing a mix and match COVID-19 vaccine series.

Data Supporting Need for a Booster Shot

Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time.

Although COVID-19 vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data pdf icon[1 MB, 68 pages] suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time, especially in people aged 65 and older and at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms.

• The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and the potential for immune evasion.
• Emerging evidence also shows that among healthcare and other frontline workers, vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infections is also decreasing over time.
• This lower effectiveness is likely due to the combination of decreasing protection as time passes since getting vaccinated, as well as the greater infectiousness of the Delta variant.

Data from clinical trials showed that a booster shot increased the immune response in trial participants who finished a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series 6 months earlier or who received a J&J/Janssen single-dose vaccine 2 months earlier. With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. For Pfizer-BioNTech and J&J/Janssen, clinical trials also showed that a booster shot helped prevent COVID-19 with symptoms.

For additional information on COVID-19 booster shots, visit this website for the Center for Disease Control.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has now approved the Pfizer vaccine and boosters for children age 5-11. They must receive the Pfizer vaccine. Pharmacies and pediatricians are ready to administer the vaccine or you may check the Utah County Health Department website (link below) to schedule at one of their locations. Please be sure to schedule the appointment where the Pfizer vaccine is being administered. If you have questions regarding your child receiving the vaccine, please contact your pediatrician.

Minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian, or, if another adult accompanies them, the minor can’t receive the vaccine unless the parent or guardian has either signed the COVID-19 vaccine form or gives permission over the phone.

For upcoming vaccination events (Booster or 1st and 2nd Doses) please visit this website or call the Utah County Health Department (801) 851-4357.

Utah County is now at low risk level on the transmission index. You can view the current risk level recommendations here.

Vaccine eligibility is open to all Utah residents ages 5 and up. If you are 5 to 17 years old, you can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Visit this website to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine. As more people get vaccinated, it increases health protection for everyone and will help things get back to normal faster.

For all others, find where to schedule booster or 1st and 2nd dose appointments here. Use the link at the top of the page that says “Where can I get vaccinated?”

Nearby COVID-19 testing locations can be found at this website. This same website also gives up to date information on the rapid antigen testing status.