Understanding the terms used by CDC — Up to Date vs. Fully Vaccinated

With Omicron continuing and the possibility of new variants emerging in the future, it is so important to get vaccinated and protected against COVID-19. CDC continues to study and analyze data related to COVID-19 vaccinations and has made recommendations for all eligible individuals to receive a booster dose, so that you are up to date. Here’ what you need to know:

Fully Vaccinated:

• An individual is fully vaccinated when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and two weeks have passes. This means two shots of wither Pfizer or Moderna or one of Johnson & Johnson.
• Individuals who are immunocompromised need to add a dose to their primary series, making them fully vaccinated if they have had three shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one of Johnson & Johnson plus one of wither Pfizer or Moderna.

Up to Date:

• An individual is up to date with vaccines when they have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and all CDC recommended booster(s) when eligible
• Individuals who have received a primary series but are not yet eligible for the booster vaccine because of age or timing of the last vaccine dose are still considered up to date.
• Boosters should be received at least five months after completing your primary series of shots for those who had Pfizer or Moderna. Johnson & Johnson recipients should get a booster at least two months after their primary dose.
• CDC recommends a second booster of either Pfizer or Moderna at least 4 months after the first booster for: Adults ages 50 years and older and people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised between the ages of 12 – 49 years of age.

The recommendations are not a one size fits all and will be different for everyone, depending on health status, age, and the date you received your first vaccine.  Please refer to the CDC website for full list of recommendations by vaccine.