Booster Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For All Adults

All adults have been given the green light to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster. It's a change from previous guidance.

The CDC made the recommendation for anyone over the age of 18 to be able to get a third dose or a second if you got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said there is plenty of vaccine to administer these doses.

"We are excited that things have been made simpler by saying all adults 18 and over can get a booster," said Mendy Spohn, the interim deputy commissioner of health.

Spohn said in order to be eligible, there is a timeline that must be followed.

"For the mRNA vaccines -- that is Pfizer and Moderna -- it is six months, so a booster dose is recommended six months after you have finished the primary series which is the first and second doses," Spohn said. "For the Johnson and Johnson product, that is two months after completing the first shot."

You are able to mix and match which vaccines you get for a booster dose. Dr. Bratzler, OU Health's Chief COVID officer, said there could be an upside for some to do that.

"I don't think there is any big advantages in switching from Pfizer to Moderna, or Moderna to Pfizer. But I do think there is some potential advantage if you got the first dose of Johnson and Johnson and subsequently get Pfizer or Moderna," Bratzler said.

Right now, you don't have to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated, but Bratzler thinks that will likely change in the future.

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