--- title: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Available to Campus Community date: 2021-11-02T14:35:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/covid-19-vaccine-boosters-available-to-campus-community" section: Articles --- # COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Available to Campus Community *November 2, 2021* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff) > Health Center Offers Pfizer Boosters, Plus Additional Doses for Immunocompromised Terps *Vaccine Clinic Health Center 07072021 SC 2261 1920x1080 — A Terp gets a COVID-19 vaccine at an on-campus clinic. All UMD community members are eligible for—and encouraged to receive—COVID booster shots, University Health Center Director Spyridon S. Marinopoulos announced today.* *University Health Center Director Dr. Spyridon S. Marinopoulos sent the following email to the campus community today:* I am writing with an update on receiving boosters or additional doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized, and the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html?et_rid=688505074&et_sid=3971894&utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=CoronavirusPC&utm_content=CDC+Site)(CDC) now recommends, that people who meet one or more of the criteria below are eligible to receive a [COVID-19 booster](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html): - Received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago and are age 18 or older. - Received a second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine at least six months ago and: - Are age 65 or older; - Live in a long-term-care facility; - Are age 18 or older and have an underlying medical condition that could put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19; or - Are age 18 or older and work or live in a location that puts them at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. Due to the relative density of our campus—in residence halls and classrooms—all students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster. The FDA has also determined that individuals may choose which COVID-19 vaccine they receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received, and others may choose to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix-and-match dosing for booster shots. Dosing may vary depending on vaccine type and medical condition for each individual. In addition, the CDC recommends that people with [moderately to severely compromised immune systems](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html)receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. This is different from receiving a vaccine “booster.” Studies have found that some immunocompromised people don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do and may benefit from an additional dose to ensure adequate protection against COVID-19. We recommend that you talk to your health care provider if you have questions about whether you should receive a booster or additional shot, or if you are not sure which booster is right for you. We encourage eligible individuals to use any of the following resources to get a booster or additional dose: - On campus, the University Health Center offers [Pfizer vaccine](https://umd.edu/4Maryland/health/covid-19-vaccine#vaccinated) boosters. The health center does not offer Moderna or J&J boosters at this time. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit [myuhc.umd.com](http://www.myuhc.umd.edu). - In the community, retail pharmacies, clinics and local and state vaccination sites also offer booster appointments and some locations may offer walk-up vaccination times. - You may also look up available vaccine sites at the State of Maryland [vaccine locator website](https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine#locator). Be well, **Spyridon S. Marinopoulos Signature** Spyridon S. Marinopoulos, MD, MBA, FACP Director, University Health Center Chief Medical Officer, University of Maryland He/Him/His --- PS: Finally, if you have not yet received your flu shot, this would be a good time to do so. Flu shots are available **[on campus](https://health.umd.edu/flushots)**. Obtaining a flu shot is another critical part of keeping our campus community healthy during this fall and winter season. **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community) **Units:** [University Health Center](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-health-center)