DHSR COVID DASHBOARD
BOOSTERS UPDATE
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended, the COVID-19 Pfizer booster for children ages 12 to 15 years old. COVID-19 infections have skyrocketed to a seven-day daily average of more than 480,000 cases per day in the United States, and the number of children being hospitalized across the country is increasing. Getting a booster helps strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19.
- Children 12 and up who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can receive the Pfizer booster five months after their second dose. Parental consent is required.
- Adults 18 and older can receive any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot.
- The CDC also recommends a third dose of Pfizer for children ages 5 to 11 who are immunocompromised.
In addition, the wait time for boosters for anyone who received Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations has been reduced from six months to five months.
- People who received the two doses of the Moderna vaccine should receive their booster in six months.
- People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive their booster two months after their vaccination.
It is important to get your booster as soon as you are eligible to strengthen your protection.
ISOLATION & QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
The CDC also updated its guidance for isolation and quarantine. People with COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 full days and wear a mask for an additional 5 days. People exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for 5 days and wear a mask for an additional 5 days. However, people who are exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine if they are vaccinated—including a booster for adults—against COVID-19. Because North Carolina remains in the CDC’s red zone with high community transmission, all North Carolinians should wear a mask.
NC DHHS encourages you to speak with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have questions about COVID-19 boosters. As with all COVID-19 vaccines, doses are free for everyone, even if they don’t have health insurance and regardless of their immigration status.
To find a COVID-19 booster, or for more information about COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at (888) 675-4567. Not all vaccines may be available at every vaccine location.
Please share this important information and update with your community. NC DHHS has new information and resources available to help:
