DHEC supports CDC advice for vaccinated adults to get their COVID-19 booster shot

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control said Tuesday it "strongly encourages" all vaccinated adults to get their COVID-19 booster shot when it's time to do so.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its booster recommendation for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to include all adults, ages 18 and older, DHEC said in a statement.

DHEC has updated its COVID-19 booster page to reflect the new CDC recommendation.

The CDC states that adults who received the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna may get their booster shot six months after their vaccine series.

Adults with one of the two-dose vaccines should get their booster if they are age 50 and older, or if they live in a long-term care facility, the CDC stated.

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For people 18 and older who received the single-dose Jannsen, the recommendation stays the same, according to DHEC: they should get a booster at least two months after the initial shot.

There is no problem with mixing and matching vaccines for boosters because each vaccine brand offers safe, effective protection from a severe case of COVID-19, according to the CDC.

DHEC continues to encourage the vaccines for all eligible ages, which now includes ages 5 and older. For more details, visit DHEC's COVID-19 webpage and the locator page to find a nearby place to get vaccinated.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com