Health Department

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location. COVID-19 call center hours are Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.

703-267-3511
TTY 711

health@fairfaxcounty.gov

10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,
Director of Health

Department Resources

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

As with other diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccines, including recommended boosters.

Updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination, and provide broader protection against newer variants. The updated, or bivalent boosters, target the most recent Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, that are more contagious and more resistant than earlier strains of Omicron.

Click the bars below to expand and see the guidance for each vaccine r. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the CDC.

Pfizer-BioNTech

Age	6 months – 4 years	5 – 11 years	12 – 17 years	18+ years
Number of Doses in Primary Series	Three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Second dose given 3 – 8 weeks after 1st dose Third dose given at least 8 weeks after 2nd dose	Two doses, 3 – 8 weeks apart	Two doses, 3 – 8 weeks apart	Two doses, 3 – 8 weeks apart
Additional Dose Recommendation for Immunocompromised	Not at this time	Yes, see below	Yes, see below	Yes, see below
Booster Dose Recommendation	Not at this time	Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 5 months after primary series	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech.	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
Up to date	2 weeks after final dose in primary series (third dose)	Immediately after third dose	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you

Notes:

For someone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised, being fully vaccinated also means having received an additional vaccine dose. See below.
Talk to your healthcare or vaccine provider about the timing for the 2nd dose in your primary series.
- People ages 6 months through 64 years, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the 2nd primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) 8 weeks after the 1st dose.
  - A longer time between the 1st and 2nd primary doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
- Anyone wanting protection due to high levels of community transmission, people ages 65 years and older, or people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, should get the second dose of:
  - Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
  - Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 4 weeks (or 28 days) after the first dose.
  - Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
If you have completed your primary series, but are not yet eligible for a booster, you are also considered up to date.

TIP: Use the CDC's COVID-19 Booster Tool to figure out if and when you need a booster.

Moderna

Age	6 months – 11 years	12 – 17 years	18+ years
Number of Doses in Primary Series	Two doses, 4 – 8 weeks apart	Two doses, 4 – 8 weeks apart	Two doses, 4 – 8 weeks apart
Additional Dose Recommendation for Immunocompromised	Yes, see below	Yes, see below	Yes, see below
Booster Dose Recommendation	Not at this time	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech.	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
Up to date	2 weeks after final dose in primary series	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you

Notes:

For someone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised, being fully vaccinated also means having received an additional vaccine dose. See below.
Talk to your healthcare or vaccine provider about the timing for the 2nd dose in your primary series.
- People ages 6 months through 64 years, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the 2nd primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) 8 weeks after the 1st dose.
  - A longer time between the 1st and 2nd primary doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
- Anyone wanting protection due to high levels of community transmission, people ages 65 years and older, or people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, should get the second dose of:
  - Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
  - Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 4 weeks (or 28 days) after the first dose.
  - Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
If you have completed your primary series, but are not yet eligible for a booster, you are also considered up to date.

TIP: Use the CDC's COVID-19 Booster Tool to figure out if and when you need a booster.

Novavax

Due to limited availability, Novavax will be offered by appointment only.

You can schedule an appointment at the Fairfax County Government Center or the Fairfax County South County Hyland Center vaccination clinics by visiting www.vaccines.gov or by calling 703-324-7404.

Age	12+ years
Number of Doses in Primary Series	Two doses, 3 – 8 weeks apart
Additional Dose Recommendation for Immunocompromised	Not at this time
Booster Dose Recommendation	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. 12–17: Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech. 18+: Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna
Up to date	Immediately after you have received the most recent booster recommended for you

Notes

For someone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised, being fully vaccinated also means having received an additional vaccine dose. See below.
Talk to your healthcare or vaccine provider about the timing for the 2nd dose in your primary series.
- People ages 6 months through 64 years, and especially males ages 12 through 39 years, may consider getting the 2nd primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) 8 weeks after the 1st dose.
  - A longer time between the 1st and 2nd primary doses may increase how much protection the vaccines offer, and further minimize the rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
- Anyone wanting protection due to high levels of community transmission, people ages 65 years and older, or people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, should get the second dose of:
  - Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
  - Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 4 weeks (or 28 days) after the first dose.
  - Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 3 weeks (or 21 days) after the first dose.
If you have completed your primary series, but are not yet eligible for a booster, you are also considered up to date.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J)

Age	18+ years
Number of Doses in Primary Series	One dose
Additional Dose Recommendation for Immunocompromised	Yes, see below*
Booster Dose Recommendation	Updated booster at least 2 months after first dose or last booster. Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
Up to date	Immediately after you have received the most recent booster recommended for you

Notes

It’s recommended that the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine only be considered in some situations.
For someone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised, being fully vaccinated also means having received an additional vaccine dose. See below.
If you have completed your primary series, but are not yet eligible for a booster, you are also considered up to date.

TIP: Use the CDC's COVID-19 Booster Tool to figure out if and when you need a booster.

Guidance for People Who are Immunocompromised

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death. Additionally, your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised. It is important to stay up to date on your vaccines.

There is no proof of medical condition required to receive a third dose of vaccine at one of the Fairfax County Health Department vaccination sites, and individuals will not be asked to provide medical documentation.

Click the bar below to expand and see the vaccine guidance. Learn more about vaccine schedules for immunocompromised persons on the CDC website.

Vaccine Recommendations for People Who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

Vaccine Brand	Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	Pfizer-BioNTech	Moderna	Moderna	Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J)	Novavax
Age	6 months – 4 years	5-11 years	12+ years	6 months – 11 years	12+ years	18+ years	12+ years
Number of Doses to Complete Primary Series and Timing	3 doses: Second dose 3 weeks after first dose Third dose at least 8 weeks after second dose	3 doses: Second dose 3 weeks after first dose Third dose at least 4 weeks after second dose	3 doses Second dose 3 weeks after first dose Third dose at least 4 weeks after second dose	3 doses Second dose 4 weeks after first dose Third dose 4 weeks after second dose	3 doses Second dose 4 weeks after first dose Third dose 4 weeks after second dose	1 dose J&J 1 additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna at least 4 weeks after first dose	2 doses Second dose 3 weeks after first dose
Booster Dose Recommendation	Not at this time	At least 3 months after the third dose	Updated booster at least 2 months after third dose or last booster. 12–17: Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech. 18+: Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna	Not at this time	Updated booster at least 2 months after third dose or last booster. 12–17: Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech. 18+: Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose or last booster. Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.	Updated booster at least 2 months after second dose 12–17: Can only be Pfizer-BioNTech. 18+: Can be Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna
Up to Date	2 weeks after third dose in primary series	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	2 weeks after third dose in primary series	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you	Immediately after the most recent booster recommended for you

Notes:

If you have completed your primary series—but are not yet eligible for a booster—you are also considered up to date.
It is recommended you do not mix the vaccines for your primary series. Vaccines used for the primary vaccination series should be the same product or brand. However, if the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) may be administered. Learn more

TIP: Use the CDC's COVID-19 Booster Tool to figure out if and when you need a booster.

Can I mix COVID-19 vaccine products?

Primary series

CDC does not recommend mixing products for your primary series doses. If you received Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax for the first dose of your primary series, you should get the same product for all following primary series doses.

Boosters

People ages 18 years and older may get a different product for a booster than they got for their primary series, as long as it is Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
Teens ages 12-17 years may get a different product for a booster than they got for their primary series, as long as it is Pfizer-BioNTech.
Children ages 5 through 11 years who got a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series must also get Pfizer-BioNTech for a booster.
People ages 12 years and older may only get the updated (bivalent) mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) booster. They can no longer get an original (monovalent) mRNA booster.
Novavax is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time.

What is the difference between an additional dose and a booster dose?

A booster dose refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone after a specified time following their primary series. Boosters are needed because protection against COVID-19 infection decreases over time (this is called waning immunity).
An additional dose, or additional primary dose, refers to administration of another vaccine dose administered to someone who has a moderately or severely compromised immune system. Studies show that some immunocompromised people do not build the same level of immunity after vaccination a non-immunocompromised people and may benefit from an additional dose increase protection against COVID-19.

What is the difference between being up to date and being fully vaccinated?

CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. As with other diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccines, including recommended boosters.

Up to date means you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC. Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose.
Fully vaccinated means a person has received their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Department Resources

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines

On this page:

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Pfizer-BioNTech

Moderna

Novavax

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J)

Guidance for People Who are Immunocompromised

Vaccine Recommendations for People Who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

Boosters Dose Guidance

Ready to get a vaccine?

Lose your vaccine card?

Additional Information

Can I mix COVID-19 vaccine products?

Primary series

Boosters

What is the difference between an additional dose and a booster dose?

What is the difference between being up to date and being fully vaccinated?

More Resources

Translate
Awards
Site Feedback

Main Address

Site Tools

Support

Additional Resources

Department Resources

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines

On this page:

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Pfizer-BioNTech

Moderna

Novavax

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J)

Guidance for People Who are Immunocompromised

Vaccine Recommendations for People Who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised

Boosters Dose Guidance

Ready to get a vaccine?

Lose your vaccine card?

Additional Information

Can I mix COVID-19 vaccine products?

Primary series

Boosters

What is the difference between an additional dose and a booster dose?

What is the difference between being up to date and being fully vaccinated?

More Resources

Translate Awards Site Feedback

Main Address

Site Tools

Support

Additional Resources

Translate
Awards
Site Feedback