CDC guidance says people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Vaccination is the best protection against the COVID-19 virus. We are still learning about the length of time both natural immunity (immunity the body develops after an illness) and vaccine-induced immunity for COVID-19 will last. People who are fully vaccinated and have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine as long as they don’t have symptoms.

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Millions of people are newly eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. However, a person is still considered fully vaccinated if they received both doses in a two-dose primary series (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose in a single-shot series (Johnson & Johnson).

Some immunocompromised people may be eligible for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine because of their medical condition if they received the Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Moderna mRNA vaccine as early as 28 days after the second dose. They must receive the same type of vaccine that was previously given. Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please talk to your doctor if you have questions.