COVID-19 Booster Shot Q&A
What is a primary series?
Primary vaccine series refers to the initial number of doses of a particular vaccine that a person needs which doesn’t include booster shots as it provides you with enough disease protection. Most people will need two doses to finish their primary series of covid vaccination; however, some people with moderately to severely impaired immune systems will need three doses to complete their primary sequence.
How do you know if you are high risk/moderately or severely immunosuppressed?
Individuals with a moderate to severe impaired immune system will have a 3-dose primary series requirement stated on their BC vaccination systems profile.
Pfizer vs Moderna, which one would be a more effective booster?
Researchers examined the efficacy of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations in healthcare workers and discovered that the Moderna vaccine outperforms the Pfizer vaccine. Similarly, the Moderna booster shot is more effective than the Pfizer booster shot because it contains more mRNA. Due to those with weakened immune systems not being able to mount as many antibodies from a vaccine dose compared to an otherwise healthy immune system, Moderna may be preferential in these cases as it carries a higher antigen count and thus gives higher antibody levels at full doses compared to the Pfizer. However, due to a lesser risk of cardiac muscle irritation, Pfizer may be preferred in those aged 12-29.
Mixing vaccines?
NACI recommends using the same mRNA vaccine to complete the primary series but both vaccines use the same mechanism of action for protecting against Covid-19 and offer similar efficacy and safety profiles with >90% vaccine effectiveness, meaning they can be interchanged to complete any of the Covid vaccination doses. There are no confirmed reports of safety or efficacy changes from mixing of vaccines compared to vaccinating with the same agent for either the primary series or the booster dose.
Can’t tell the difference between booster doses and 3rd and 4th doses?
Many people are unsure what constitutes a booster dosage and how many doses they should receive. Some are unsure whether the third covid vaccination qualifies as a booster dose. The third dose is usually referring to the last dose to complete the primary series for someone with a weakened immune system that requires three doses of the vaccine to provide initial good protection against covid; thus it is NOT a booster dose. The 3rd covid vaccination will be considered their first booster dose for the general population who only require two doses to complete their primary series, whereas the 4th covid vaccination will be considered their first booster dose for those who require three doses to complete their primary series.
I got my previous vaccines outside of BC, can I get covid vaccinations in BC?
If you have a BC care card number, you may be eligible for further Covid Vaccinations; if you don’t, call 1-833-838-2323 (translation available) or register with the BC vaccination system at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register. They will collect the necessary information from you, including past Covid vaccine information, to help you move forward with acquiring more Covid vaccination doses in BC.
What if I am 65+ and have a moderately/severely weakened immune system?
If you are required to have three primary series doses, you will need the 5th covid vaccination as you are recommended to get a second booster dose.
How do I know if I am due for my next recommended dose?
Take a look at our handy chart to find out your recommended covid immunization schedule!
Once you’ve registered with the BC get-vaccinated system, you’ll receive reminders (by phone or email) when your next dosage is available!
Age Group | Vaccine Schedule & Recommendation |
5-11 Otherwise Healthy (Can only be provided at Government vaccination facilities and not at Pharmacy at this time) | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer Pediatric 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer Pediatric Booster Dose: None recommended at this time |
5-11 Moderately to Severely Immunosuppressed (Can only be provided at Government vaccination facilities and not at Pharmacy at this time) | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer Pediatric 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer Pediatric 4 weeks Primary Series Dose 3: Pfizer Pediatric Booster Dose: None recommended at this time |
12-17 Otherwise Healthy | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Eligible and recommended if in contact with people who are high risk…Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *Pfizer is preferred for better safety in age group |
12-17 Moderately to Severely Immunosuppressed | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 4+ weeks Primary Series Dose 3: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *Pfizer is preferred for better safety profile in this age group |
18-29 Otherwise Healthy | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *Pfizer is preferred for better safety profile in this age group |
18-64 Moderately to Severely Immunosuppressed | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 4+ weeks Primary Series Dose 3: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *Moderna is preferred for higher Immune Response in this group |
30-64 Otherwise Healthy | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *No preferred agent in this group |
65+ that are residents in care facilities or waiting to be placed there Indigenous persons 55+ | Primary Series Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 8 weeks Primary Series Dose 2: Pfizer/Moderna 4+ weeks Primary Series Dose 3: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 1: Pfizer/Moderna 6 months Booster Dose 2: Pfizer or Moderna (½ dose) *Moderna is preferred for higher immune response in this group |
Any questions that are not covered here?
Leave it in CRC’s Facebook or Instagram page @crchealthcentre and we will reply to you there!
