Booster Shots
The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. They are called "bivalent" booster vaccines because half of the dose is specifically targeting the omicron subvariants that account for nearly all recent infections in NYC. These boosters increase your immunity from your initial vaccination series and previous boosters.
You can get your updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since your most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
People ages 6 and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna booster, regardless of which brand of vaccine they previously received. Children age 5 can get only the Pfizer booster. Children age 6 months to 4 years can only get the Moderna booster.
If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date. If you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 or of getting COVID-19 again, get a booster as soon as you are eligible. Talk to your medical provider about when you should get your next vaccine.
Further Assistance
You can talk with a nurse if you need more information and answers to questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.
If you aren't sure if you are eligible you can discuss with your medical provider.
- Agency: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Division: Vaccine Reservation Call Center
- Phone Number: (877) 829-4692
- Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Third Dose for People with a Weakened Immune System
Separate from boosters, people ages 5 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) should get a third vaccine dose, as part of their primary vaccine series.
This shot is intended to help people who may not have had a strong response to the first two shots due to a medical condition or treatment.
People who are immunocompromised can get a third dose 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- If you got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, get the same vaccine type for your third dose.
- If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you must get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your third dose.
People ages 12 and older who receive this shot should also get at least one booster when eligible.
Learn more about third doses.
You should speak with your health care provider if you have questions about third dose eligibility.
You can also talk with a nurse by phone if you need more information and answers to questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, including third dose eligibility.
- Agency: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Division: Vaccine Reservation Call Center
- Phone Number: (877) 829-4692
- Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week