Defining Fully Vaccinated
According to the CDC and Mayo Clinic, individuals are considered fully vaccinated
two weeks after the second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Moderna or Pfizer) is administered two weeks after the second dose of
the Novavax vaccine and two weeks after the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
On September 30, 2022, the CDC published
a new definition regarding what it means to be up-to-date on your covid vaccinations. According to the September report, individuals are “up-to-date” if they have received either two doses of mRNA or one dose of Johnson and Johnson and the most recent recommended booster dose.
The “up-to-date” vaccination term is part of a widespread incitive to reduce the spread of covid as we enter flu season. The goal is to protect more individuals against the highly contagious omicron variants. Recent reports have stated that the up-to-date terminology could change
what is classified as “fully vaccinated.” The CDC has outlined guidelines for specific populations that should meet the up-to-date criteria. According to the CDC individuals are considered Up-To-Date if they meet the
following guidelines:
- An individual who has completed a primary series and received a booster is up to date.
- An individual who has completed a primary series and is not yet eligible for a booster is up to date.
And
Not Up-To-Date if they meet the following criteria:
- An individual who has completed a primary series and is eligible for a booster, but has not received a booster, is not up to date.
Bottom Line
As of October 2022, the definition of what it means to be fully vaccinated remains the same:
two standard doses of Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax (for 18 years and older) or the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. With the CDC changing the terms of what it means to be up-to-date on vaccines, experts suggest that "fully vaccinated" might evolve to include 3rd doses and updated booster shots.