You can’t make an appointment to receive another type of vaccine in your primary vaccine series, but most vaccination clinics allow walkup appointments, or you can request a different type of vaccine onsite, if available. Be sure to take the physician’s order with you, but please know it is up to the clinic to decide if it will honor the order.
There are booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. You may choose to receive a different vaccine for your booster shot if you have completed a primary series and eligible for a booster. For primary and booster vaccination, people should receive an age-appropriate mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for anyone age 18 and older if no other approved vaccine is available. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to your appointment.
See additional recommendations for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. A second booster dose is recommended for certain people at increased risk of severe disease.