FDA, CDC approve second COVID-19 booster for Americans 50 and older. What you need to know

Hoosiers age 50 years and older may be eligible for a second COVID-19 booster shot, as the FDA approved a fourth dose for older Americans Tuesday.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC director, announced the agency also approved second booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for Americans 50 and older.

The CDC went one step further than the FDA and also recommended that those who received a primary vaccine and booster of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine now receive an a second booster shot, an mRNA vaccine from either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

"This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19 as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time," Walensky said in a statement. "CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans."

More: FDA authorizes second COVID booster shot for Americans 50 and older

The first round of COVID-19 booster shots were authorized to all adults 18 and older in November. The approval comes as the BA.2 strain of the omicron variant is causing cases to spike both in Europe and the U.S.

Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in the FDA press release that current evidence points to "some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals."

Here's what Hoosiers should know:

Can I get a second booster shot?

The FDA announced that people who are over the age of 50 can receive a booster shot of either the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines at no cost.

Individuals 12 and older who are immunocompromised due to medical conditions or because of medical treatment, like an organ transplant, can receive an additional Pfizer-BioNTech shot.

Immunocompromised individuals 18 or older can receive a second Moderna vaccine dose. These doses are aimed to provide the same protection that someone who is not immunocompromised would have after three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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All individuals in one of the above groups must be at least four months out from their last COVID-19 shot in order to be eligible for a second booster dose.

Currently, anyone over the age of 12 who has completed their original vaccine series five months ago can get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster. Individuals 18 and older can receive a Moderna booster shot. The CDC recommends these mRNA vaccines in almost all cases.

Those looking to get their second may "mix and match" their COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The FDA report said that either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster may be administered at least four months after a first booster shot of "any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine."

A recent report from the CDC suggested that those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and booster should get an mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster at least four months after.

How do I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana?

You can sign up for an initial COVID-19 vaccine shot or a booster dose at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.

Many sites offer walk-in appointments as well. To find a vaccine site near you, you can visit the COVID-19 vaccination site map and type in your zip code, which can be found here: bit.ly/3IQxdrd.

Are booster shots different than the original series?

The Pfizer-BioNTech booster is identical to the shots given in the original series, but the Moderna booster offers half the original 100-micogram dose, according to USA TODAY.

What percentage of Hoosiers are vaccinated?

As of Tuesday, 56.8% of Hoosiers were fully vaccinated, meaning they have received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Over 1.7 million Indiana residents have received a first booster shot, which amounts to about a quarter of the state's population.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar trending reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: COVID-19 Indiana: Second booster shot authorized for 50 and older