Provided for your information on behalf of the Texas Department of State Health Services
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October 22, 2021
Dear COVID-19 Vaccine Providers,
On October 20, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made amendments to the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines that expanded the use of a booster dose in eligible populations.
On October 21, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a “mix-and-match” booster dose.
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 primary series:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
Note: The Moderna COVID-19 booster dose is half of the dose that is administered for the primary series dose.
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 two or more months ago.
As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 vaccination effort, people may self-attest to having a health condition that qualifies them for a booster dose. DSHS recommends that people consult a healthcare provider if they have questions about their risks from COVID-19 and whether a booster dose would be beneficial for them.
Thank you for your continued diligence in vaccinating all eligible Texans who would like to be vaccinated.
Resources:
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
Texas Department of State Health Services