COVID-19 Boosters Recommended for Everyone 18 and Older by LDH

Published November 17, 2021

The Louisiana Department of Health announced on November 17, 2021, that COVID-19 booster doses are now recommended for all fully vaccinated Louisianans ages 18 and older, in light of rising instances in other regions of the country and the opportunity for families to improve their protection ahead of the holidays. If a person has taken two doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, they are considered fully vaccinated.

Effective immediately, the following individuals are now eligible and recommended to receive a booster dose:

• Anyone 18 and older who completed their two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series 6 or more months ago.
• Anyone 18 and older who received their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or more months ago.

Individuals who are eligible can choose which vaccine they will receive as a booster dose. Some people prefer the vaccination type they had when they were first immunized, while others prefer to obtain a different booster. For boosters, federal guidelines now allow for this form of mix-and-match dose.

The Louisiana Department of Health indicated that all three COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States are currently highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, according to available data. Vaccination is still the greatest strategy to protect yourself, minimize virus spread, and help avoid the emergence of new variations.

Boosters offer an extra layer of defense against COVID. The most important thing is for many more of us to have our first shot since that is how we will finally be able to put this pandemic behind us. If you are eligible, the Louisiana Department of Health highly advises that you obtain your first COVID vaccine shot if you have not already done so.