CDC and FDA Statement on Vaccine Boosters

Before you start wondering if you need a COVID-19 booster shot, you should ask yourself whether you’ve been fully vaccinated or not. If you are fully vaccinated, you don’t have to worry about getting the booster shot at all. For now.

All approved COVID-19 vaccines have been highly effective against all COVID-19 related complications and variants - such as Delta- already circulating in many countries including the United States.

Most people who have become sick, have been hospitalized, or have died from COVID-19 were not vaccinated. Side effects for those who have received the vaccine are mostly mild or nonexistent.

If increasing the spread of Delta and other COVID-19 variants occurs as a result of weaker immunity from the current vaccine shot, the CDC and FDA will announce the need for booster shots. In the meantime, getting fully vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.

For more general information on booster shots, please visit the links below:

Official statements

• Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Vaccine Boosters

News Coverage:

• AP: Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect

• PBS: Is the Pfizer booster shot necessary to beat the delta variant? An expert weighs in

• The Hill: Biden officials say booster shot not currently needed following Pfizer meeting

• NY Times: US Officials Press Pfizer for More Evidence of Need for Booster Shot

• CNN: 'Nothing has changed' after briefing with Pfizer on booster shots

Sources: HHS.govU.S. Department of Health & Human Services