Many members of the UC Riverside community may be eligible for a booster vaccine under new guidance from the CDC, which recommends boosters for people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) more than 2 months ago.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approved for booster

The guidance regarding the Pfizer vaccine booster dose applies to certain high-risk populations who meet the below conditions:

• The recipient must have had the Pfizer-BioNTech as their primary initial vaccine series
• It must be administered at least six months after completing the primary two-dose series
• The recipient must be 65 years or older OR 18-64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2
• Are ages 18 through 64 and have underlying medical conditions

Moderna vaccine approved for booster

The guidance regarding the Moderna vaccine booster dose applies to certain high-risk populations who meet select conditions.

The use of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals:

• 65 years of age and older
• 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
• 18 through 64 who have underlying medical conditions or with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine approved for booster

• The use of a single booster dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older

Heterologous (“mix and match”) approved for booster

• 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.
• A single booster dose of any of the available COVID-19 vaccines may be administered as a heterologous booster dose following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. The eligible population(s) and dosing interval for a heterologous booster dose are the same as those authorized for a booster dose of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.
• For more information visit the following FDA website.   

Third doses for those with compromised immune systems

• Both Moderna and Pfizer are authorized for a third dose for those with compromised immune systems. People who received the Moderna vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine and have compromised immune systems should receive a third dose of vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose.

What is the difference between a booster and a third dose?

• A booster dose is an additional shot needed after the protection of the initial dose or doses has lessened over time.
• A third dose, on the other hand, refers to completing the original vaccine series if you're immunocompromised, which means you need three shots to be fully vaccinated. 

Vaccine Availability 

The University of California recommends boosters and third doses for those who are eligible. Vaccines are widely available from healthcare providers, clinics, and pharmacies. At this time, UCR Health is not organizing employee vaccine clinics. 

UCR is not currently collecting verification of third doses or boosters, but information on that process will be shared when it becomes available. For the latest COVID-19 information, please continue to visit UCR’s Campus Return site.