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Coronavirus Overview
Eligibility for a booster or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
Ohio State offers third dose vaccines and booster vaccines for COVID-19. We follow eligibility standards set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
What's the difference between a booster and third dose vaccine?
Booster dose: An additional dose of vaccine given to patients expected to have had a normal immune response to the first two doses, but who are at risk for waning immunity against COVID-19 over time
Third dose: An additional dose of vaccine given to immunocompromised patients who may not have had an adequate response to the first two doses because of an impaired immune system
Everyone 18 and older should get a COVID-19 booster shot if:
- You received your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
- You received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago
Individuals 18 and older who have completed any COVID-19 vaccination series within the time frames above can get a booster dose from any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States.
Currently there is no booster recommendation for anyone under the age of 18.
Who’s eligible for a third dose vaccine?
The CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after their second dose.
Eligible conditions include:
- Organ transplant
- Bone marrow transplant
- Cancer patients who have had a diagnosis or active treatment within the last 5 years
- Advanced or untreated HIV/AIDS
- Primary immunodeficiency
- Patients receiving IVIG, a biologic or other immunosuppressive medication (ex. mycophenolate)
- Patients receiving >20 mg of Prednisone per day for longer than 14 days
- Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL) who have been diagnosed at any time
How do I get my booster vaccine or third dose at Ohio State?
All booster and third dose vaccines must be scheduled in advance to validate your previous vaccine doses and make sure you receive the correct manufacturer. If you think you’re eligible for a third dose vaccine, log in to MyChart or call 614-688-8299 (VAXX) to schedule. When scheduling, you'll be able to choose from any of our vaccination sites.
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