BoostersIf you are among the approximately 321,000 people in Arizona who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, it’s natural to have questions about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “expressing a clinical preference” for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over the one you received. 

The CDC notes that this preference for the two available mRNA vaccines is made out of an abundance of caution due to extremely rare side effects from the J&J vaccine. 

If you received J&J at least four weeks ago, the CDC says you are not at increased risk for side effects. 

If you received J&J, the CDC has already recommended getting a booster two months or more after your dose. This week’s statement encourages patients to get boosted with an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer). 

With COVID-19 highly active across Arizona, everyone who is fully vaccinated should be making plans to get a booster dose. For those who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, get a booster when you are at least six months past your primary series to be sure your protection is up to date. 

Please visit azhealth.gov/FindVaccine to locate a convenient provider of safe, free and highly effective booster doses.