COVID-19 Booster & Dose Recommendations

COVID vaccine recommendations update graphic

The Iowa Department of Public Health has shared the CDC's recommendations for Pfizer booster doses that were adopted yesterday and today.

Moderna & Pfizer Boosters

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

  • People 65 years and older
  • People 18 years and older who reside in long-term care settings
  • People aged 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
  • People aged 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings

Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) Booster

Anyone aged ≥18 years who received a single dose Johnson & Johnson primary series (1 dose) can receive a COVID-19 booster dose at least 2 months after completing the primary series.

  • J&J vaccine does not have eligibility criteria for the booster dose.

Mix and Match Use

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended the Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Mix and match dosing may be considered for the booster dose only.

Iowans with questions about which booster dose is right for them should consult with their health care provider. The vaccine is the best tool we have to keep ourselves and our families healthy and to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from the COVID-19 virus. Find a COVID-19 vaccine provider here.

Find a Vaccine Booster or 2nd Dose

You do not need to get your booster dose of Moderna/Pfizer or your 2nd dose of Johnson & Johnson at the same location where you received your earlier dose(s).  

Health Department