Many Contra Costa residents who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine can now consider booster doses for increased protection heading into the holiday season.
After reviewing research, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have found that booster doses of all available COVID-19 vaccines are not only safe, but significantly improve protection against both infection and serious illness, including from the delta variant.
Fully vaccinated people may also now choose any of the three available COVID-19 vaccines for their booster doses when they are eligible, regardless of the vaccine used during their initial immunization.
“All of the COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective but, as with most vaccines, the protection they provide reduces over time. That is why getting a booster dose is a healthy choice,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, deputy health officer for Contra Costa. “It is also critical for anyone who has not already done so to get vaccinated today. COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection we have against the virus, including for people who were previously infected.”
Anyone who is 18 or older and received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine should receive a booster of any of the three available vaccines after at least two months have passed since their initial dose.
As with people vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, those who received Moderna vaccine should get a booster dose, according to the CDC, if at least six months have passed since they completed their initial course of vaccination, and they are:
- 65 or older
- residents of long-term care facilities
- 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions or who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to social inequities, including those from communities of color
People previously vaccinated with Moderna vaccine who may consider receiving a booster, based on their individual benefits and risks, include:
- those who are 18 to 49 with underlying health conditions
- those who are 18 to 64 and are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their occupation or institutional setting
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its community healthcare partners are prepared to deliver safe, effective, and free COVID-19 booster doses for all eligible residents.
The best place for most Contra Costa residents to seek booster doses is through their own healthcare providers or their local neighborhood pharmacies. COVID-19 vaccine is now plentiful, and CCHS is in regular communication with community healthcare providers, clinics and pharmacies to ensure that all eligible residents can access vaccine.
Beginning Tuesday, CCHS’ free vaccination clinics will also offer booster doses by appointment to anyone who is eligible. Call 1-833-829-2626 to make an appointment, or use our online form at cchealth.org/coronavirus.
So far more than 87% of Contra Costa residents who are 12 or older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 82% are fully vaccinated.
For information about pharmacies and other providers that offer COVID-19 vaccine to the public, visit our Get Vaccinated page. Most providers will require appointments.
