Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.
Vaccinations remain the best way for us to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. The vaccines are safe, highly effective, and free. Booster shots will also help protect against the new omicron variant, and CDPHE encourages everyone 12 and older to get a booster shot as soon as possible. Children over the age of five who have not yet been vaccinated should start their two-shot series immediately.
CDC recommends that people remain up to date with their vaccines, which includes additional doses for individuals who are immunocompromised or booster doses at regular time points. Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot and a booster shot.
Mobile Vaccine & Booster Clinics
This bus is a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic. All vaccines are 100% free. No ID, proof of residency, or insurance is required. Registration not required.
Third (booster) doses
Who should get another dose?
You should get another dose if you:
Are 12 or older and received your second dose of Pfizer at least five months ago.
Are 18 or older and received your second dose of Moderna at least five months ago.
If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get a dose of either Pfizer or Moderna two months or more after you first got vaccinated.
If you are immunocompromised and got three doses of Pfizer, you should get a fourth dose five months after your third. If you are immunocompromised and got three doses of Moderna, you should get a fourth dose five months after your third dose.
Anyone age 12 or older who is due for a third dose should make a plan to get one. We encourage you to speak with your health care provider if you have questions.
Does my third dose need to be the same kind of vaccine as my initial doses?
It depends on your age. If you’re 18 or older, you can get any authorized vaccine for your third dose. We strongly recommend getting either Pfizer or Moderna. People aged 12-17 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine for their third dose at this time.
Why do I need another dose if I am already fully vaccinated?
Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine give you the highest level of protection from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccine effectiveness varies by vaccine product and may drop over time. A third dose (or second if you got J&J) helps make sure you stay protected after a certain amount of time has passed since you first got vaccinated. This can keep you from getting sick or needing to go to the hospital.
Coloradans who got three doses:
Are 2.4 times less likely to get infected with COVID-19 than people who only received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Are 9.7 times less likely to get infected with COVID-19 than people who haven’t been vaccinated at all.
Are 3.3 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who only received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Are 47.5 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who haven’t been vaccinated at all.
Where can I get a third dose?
You can get a third dose at any vaccine provider. No ID, insurance, or proof of medical history is required. Third doses are free.
I am immunocompromised and received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for my first dose. Can I get an additional primary dose?
At this time, an additional primary dose for immunocompromised people who received Johnson & Johnson has not been authorized. However, if it has been two months or more since you first got vaccinated, you can get a second (booster) dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend receiving either Pfizer or Moderna for this second dose, but you may get Johnson & Johnson if you can’t or would prefer not to get Pfizer or Moderna.
People who received Johnson & Johnson for their first dose are not recommended to get more than two total vaccine doses at this time.
This post is an excerpt of the CDPHE’s webpage “Find out when you need a third (booster) dose of a COVID-19 vaccine“, last updated January 10, 2022.
