Oregon COVID-19: Brown, Other Western Governors Approve Boosters

PORTLAND, OR — Many eople who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine shots against COVID-19 are now eligible for booster shots. That's the decision of The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which was formed last October to evaluate all coronavirus vaccines approved by the FDA before they can be used in Oregon, Washington, and California.

After evaluating the recent decisions by the FDA and CDC to recommend boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients, the workgroup decided to follow suit.

The group's recommendation calls for Moderna recipients to receive a booster six months after they completed their second shot and Johnson & Johnson recipients to receive their booster two months after they received their one shot.

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Gov. Kate Brown said that she is, "committed to ensuring our most vulnerable Oregonians are protected from COVID-19, including those who are at higher risk due to systemic health and social inequities.

"Vaccination is our pathway out of this pandemic. If you still have questions about getting vaccinated, call your doctor or health care provider today to get your questions answered."

There are some conditions.

For people who received the Moderna shots, the workgroup recommends the booster for:

• People 65 years of age and older,
• People 18 years of age and older residing in a long-term care facility, or
• People 50 through 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities.

As for people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the booster who should go to

• People 18 through 49 years of age with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities, or
• People 18 through 49 years of age who are at risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

The workgroup also said it's ok for people to "mix and match" their vaccines; if they received the Johnson & Johnson, they can get the Moderna and so forth.