Additional vaccine doses (booster shots and third doses)

Content verified January 17, 2023

Our booster clinics provide the updated bivalent boosters. Maryland's Vaccine Locator provides information on pharmacies and other providers who have booster appointments.

Novavax vaccine is available by appointment to persons age 12 and over. Learn more about Novavax and make an appointment.

You are up to date if you have completed a primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by the CDC.

1

Eligible people

Booster Shot Eligibility
If you are 6 months and older, you can get a booster 2 months after completing primary series or last booster.
Use the CDC's booster calculator
Age Booster vaccine
Ages 6 months through 4 years
  • If primary series was Moderna, get updated (bivalent) Moderna COVID-19 booster.
  • If primary series was Pfizer, no booster is authorized.
Age 5 years
  • If primary series was Moderna, get updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 booster.
  • If primary series was Pfizer, get updated (bivalent) Pfizer booster.
Ages 6 and older updated (bivalent) mRNA booster
Ages 18 and older monovalent Novavax COVID-19 booster in limited situations. Call our COVID-19 Call Center at 240-777-2982.

People who are immunocompromised

See CDC COVID-19 vaccine and booster guidence for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. You may also be eligible for Evusheld.

2

Available locations

If you want a specific vaccine as your booster, check that your vaccination site has it available.

See County-run clinics | Make appointments
Use Maryland’s vaccine locator

Your healthcare provider may have vaccine, too.

3

Items to bring to your appointment

Bring these items to your additional dose appointment

You will be required to self-certify underlying medical conditions and age.

You do not need a doctor's note or medical history.

Are there risks of receiving an additional vaccine dose?

Limited information exists about the risks of receiving an additional dose of vaccine. Ongoing research is looking at the safety and benefit of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

So far, reactions reported after a third dose of an mRNA vaccine were similar to those for first and second doses. The most common side effects reported have been fatigue and pain at the injection site. Overall, most side effects have been mild to moderate.