Moderna, J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Available In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — COVID-19 booster shots are now available to more Rhode Islanders, the state's Department of Health announced Friday, following approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration for supplemental Moderna and Johnson & Johnson doses.

Anyone 18 years old and up who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is eligible to receive a second dose, at least two months after the first shot. Moderna's eligiblity, meanwhile, is more limited, following the same guidelines as the Pfizer vaccine. Eligibility includes:

• Anyone aged 65 or older
• Anyone aged 18 or older who lives in a long-term care setting
• Anyone aged 18 or older who has an underlying medical condition
• Anyone aged 18 and older who lives or works in high-risk settings.

Residents do not need to get a booster shot of the same vaccine dose they received initially, and can choose which type they would prefer. This only applies to booster shots — primary shots should still be of the same type.

Gov. Dan McKee called the expanded booster availability "an important step in our efforts to beat COVID-19 and keep Rhode Islanders healthy."

"Rhode Island’s vaccination team has done the work to ensure we’re prepared to get these booster shots in arms as soon as possible," McKee continued. "I received my booster shot a few weeks ago, and I encourage eligible Rhode Islanders to do the same. Vaccination is key to our recovery."

The Moderna and J&J boosters became available after the FDA granted an additional emergency use authorization for the two vaccines on Wednesday. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention provided final guidance and endorsement Thursday. Rhode Island's practice is to wait for decisions from both authorities before making vaccine doses available to residents.

"We know that vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant," said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Department of Health. "Anyone who is eligible for a booster dose should make an appointment to get one. If you have a question about what type of vaccine to get for a booster dose, talk to your primary care provider about the choice that is best for you."