Do I Need a 2nd COVID-19 Booster Shot? Yes, If You're 50 & Up or Immunocompromised

April 21, 2022

by Megan E. Davis

Older adults and people who are immunocompromised can now get a second COVID-19 booster shot.

The FDA recommends a second booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for:

Adults 50 or older
Immunocompromised children and adults ages 12 or older

The agency recommends a second booster shot of the Moderna vaccine for:

Adults 50 or older
Immunocompromised adults ages 18 or older

You should get your second COVID-19 booster shot at least 4 months after you got your last shot.

Need a Second Booster?

You can get a second COVID booster shot if you’re an older adult or immunocompromised.

Find a Booster Near You

How to Know Who's Immunocompromised

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you are immunocompromised if you:

Are receiving cancer treatment
Have had an organ transplant and take medicines to suppress your immune system
Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
Take high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress your immune system
Have a moderate to severe immunodeficiency because of a condition like DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Not sure if you’re immunocompromised? Talk with your primary care provider.

It’s okay to get a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine even if you received Moderna before and vice-versa, as long as you’re 4 months out from your last shot, says UVA infectious diseases expert William Petri, MD.

A Second COVID-19 Booster Shot Protects Against Severe Disease

Petri said he recommends getting the second COVID-19 booster shot to protect against going into the hospital or dying from COVID-19.

“The second booster provides added protection against severe COVID-19 in older adults,” he said. “The protection extends past 6 weeks (the longest time so far), with no signs of waning.”

Read more about the FDA emergency authorization for second booster shots.