Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Booster Shots Now Available at Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies Nationwide (2024)

With the news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now authorized boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines, Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies are ready. If you recall, Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine became eligible as a booster in September. Getting vaccinated is one of our best ways to ensure that you, your family, loved ones and community can stay healthy. If you haven’t already, and are eligible, please get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to help limit the spread of the virus and its variants, while also being extremely effective from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

How Are the COVID-19 Booster Shots Different and Who is Eligible?

According to the CDC, a booster shot is available for certain populations after a person has completed their initial COVID-19 vaccination. While COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective, over time their protection against the virus can decrease. Based on the latest scientific data, the CDC has found booster shots to be effective in “boosting” the initial protections from COVID-19 vaccines, especially in at-risk populations.

Pfizer and ModernaCOVID-19 Boosters

Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots have the same eligibility requirements both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can be administered to eligible individuals starting at least six months after their second dose.

Both Pfizer and Moderna’s booster shots are authorized for the following groups:

  • Individuals 65 years of age and older
  • Individuals18 years of age and olderwho live in long-term care settings
  • Individuals 18 to 64 years of age at high risk for severe COVID-19, and
  • Individuals 18 to 64 years of agewith frequent institutional or occupational exposure toCOVID-19

J&J

In the case of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, a single booster shot can be administered starting 2 months after a patient’s single dose to individuals 18 years of age and older.

The J&J vaccine booster is authorized for the following individuals:

  • All individuals 18 years of age and older

What About Side Effects and Safety of Boosters?

The CDC has found reactions reported for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were similar to what has been associated with second doses and a single dose of the J&J COVID-19 vaccines mild and moderate overall, with the most common side effects after a booster shot being fatigue and pain at the injection site. For additional information, you can visit the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine booster shots page or discuss your concerns and questions with your doctor or other health care provider.

What Booster Shot Should I Get?

The FDA has also authorized heterologous or “mix and match” boosters. Specifically, the FDA authorized a single booster dose of any of the available COVID-19 vaccines may be administered after a person has completed their initial COVID-19 vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. The eligible population(s) and dosing interval for a “mix and match” booster dose are the same as those authorized for a booster dose of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.

Remember: Each authorized vaccine has been determined by the FDA to be both safe and effective and the FDA has not recommended one shot over another. They have noted that using the same vaccine as a booster, when possible, is preferable. Walmart will continue to administer all FDA authorized or approved vaccines and now boosters, which includes those from Pfizer, Moderna and J&J, and we encourage each person to always consult with their health care provider or pharmacist to discuss any additional questions or concerns they may have about the vaccine booster shot they are interested in. 

Where to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine Shots and Boosters, and Your Flu Shot

You can get your COVID-19 vaccine shots and booster shoots at your neighborhood Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy, conveniently available by both walk-up and appointment at all locations nationwide. Go to walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and samsclub.com/covid to learn more. The federal government is providing the vaccine at no cost. Don’t forget, flu season is here, and you can further protect yourself by getting your flu shot at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

I can’t thank our Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy teams enough for their care, dedication and hard work getting millions of Americans vaccinated, on top of the work they do every day to serve their patients. Please get vaccinated and, if among those eligible, get your booster shot. It can make a difference especially if you are immunocompromised, vulnerable to severe infection or at risk for frequent exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Booster Shots Now Available at Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies Nationwide (2024)

FAQs

Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Booster Shots Now Available at Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies Nationwide? ›

You can get your COVID-19 vaccine shots and booster shoots at your neighborhood Walmart or Sam's Club pharmacy, conveniently available by both walk-up and appointment at all locations nationwide. Go to walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and samsclub.com/covid to learn more.

Can Johnson and Johnson get Pfizer booster? ›

If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are eligible to receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot.

Can you choose which COVID booster you have? ›

You cannot choose which COVID-19 vaccine you have. Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example if you're under 18 years old.

What is the latest COVID vaccine? ›

CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines—Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax—to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.

What is spike vax? ›

SPIKEVAX is a vaccine to protect you against COVID-19. SPIKEVAX is for people 12 years of age and older. Vaccination with SPIKEVAX may not protect all people who receive the vaccine.

Are there boosters for Johnson & Johnson? ›

If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for your primary vaccine dose experts recommend you get an mRNA booster shot. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for your primary and booster dose you can get an mRNA vaccine as a second booster shot.

What is the best booster shot for Johnson and Johnson? ›

Boosters After the J&J Vaccine

If you received the J&J vaccine as your primary series, the CDC recommends a bivalent booster next. The two bivalent boosters are the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine. Bivalent boosters initially became available for people 12 years and older in September 2022.

Which is better Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster? ›

Pfizer: Is There a “Best” mRNA Vaccine? Both of the mRNA vaccines available in the US are highly effective against severe COVID-19, but recent studies suggest that Moderna's elicits a stronger immune response and might be better at preventing breakthrough infections.

Is it better to mix or match COVID booster? ›

Booster shots are a safe and effective way to extend protection against variants of concern. Mixing vaccines may enhance the immune response, and it increases flexibility for when people need a booster dose but doses of the vaccine they first received are not available.

Can you mix and match Moderna and Pfizer Covid boosters? ›

Public health has also made it clear that it is safe to mix and match Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for booster shots.

How long does the Pfizer vaccine last in your body? ›

The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines offer immunity against COVID-19 for up to six months.

Which COVID vaccine is safest? ›

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety — What We Know

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective at preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19.

Is the FDA no longer approved for COVID vaccine? ›

The updated mRNA vaccines are each approved for individuals 12 years of age and older and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age. As part of today's actions, the bivalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States.

What is the name of the Moderna booster? ›

Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron BA. 1 may be given as a single injection to adults and children from the age of 6 years, at least 3 months after primary vaccination or a booster dose with a COVID-19 vaccine. Both Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron BA. 4-5 and Spikevax XBB.

What are the side effects of the Moderna bivalent booster? ›

Vaccine injections may cause pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Tiredness, headache, fever, muscle/joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, or swollen lymph nodes may also occur. If any of these effects occur, tell your health care professional promptly.

How effective is the Moderna spike vaccine? ›

Effectiveness. Clinical trials showed that beginning 2 weeks after the second dose, the Moderna Spikevax® COVID vaccine was: 94.1% effective in protecting trial participants aged 18 and above against COVID-19.

Can you mix Pfizer and J&J vaccines? ›

CDC Advises To Mix J&J Covid Vaccine With Pfizer Or Moderna Booster.

Is it okay to mix Moderna and Pfizer boosters? ›

Public health has also made it clear that it is safe to mix and match Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines for booster shots.

Did the J&J vaccine have mRNA in it? ›

A: No. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use mRNA. The J&J vaccine uses what is called an adenovirus vector vaccine. Vaccines of this type have been well-studied in clinical trials, and viral vector vaccines have been used to respond to recent Ebola outbreaks.

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