Roadmap to the Pfizer COVID-19 Booster

On September 22, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended of the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series for:


  • individuals 65 years of age and older;
  • individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19; and 
  • individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.

More information on the FDA’s authorization can be found here.

Additionally, on September 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended:

  • people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
  • people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

More information on the CDC’s recommendations can be found here. Vaccines are provided free of charge to anyone in the United States. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), nearly all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries must receive coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and their administration, including these boosters, without cost-sharing. People can visit www.vaccines.gov (English) or www.vacunas.gov (Spanish) to search for vaccines nearby.

HHS Secretary Becerra issued this statement about the COVID-19 Booster policy.

Answers about what is in the COVID-19 vaccines and other mythbuster information can be found here.

This is a helpful table created by Your Local Epidemiologist showing efficacy data by vaccine.

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