Will You Need A COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot? What We Know So Far
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
You’ve heard the words ‘vaccine booster shot’ thrown around a lot lately, and with the novel coronavirus taking on new territory and spreading more rapidly and severely, many individuals will be in need of a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. But how do you know if that’s you? We’ve gathered all you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, and whether or not you need one at this time.
Can I still get COVID-19 after the vaccine?
First things first - yes, it's still possible to contract COVID-19 even after being fully vaccinated, also known as ‘Breakthrough COVID.’ As the Delta variant sweeps through the unvaccinated population, a majority of vaccinated individuals are experiencing breakthrough cases, with zero to mild symptoms, prompting an urgency for a third shot, or booster shot.
What is a booster shot and how does it work?
A COVID-19 booster shot is another dose of the vaccine you originally received. The concept is to prolong protective immunity, particularly if there is evidence that protection wears off after a period of time. While the current vaccines are incredibly effective against severe illness or death from the new variants, the vaccines could be modified to target specific new variants.
How do I know if I need a booster vaccine shot?
As of now, scientists and government officials are closely monitoring the situation and working on getting approvals for a third vaccine, or extra booster shot. This would mean a third dose of vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, or a second dose of Johnson & Johnson, which are the three approved vaccines in the U.S.
When COVID-19 vaccines first became available, they were first offered to the most vulnerable, including older adults. People who are immunocompromised have also been given priority, which may explain why the FDA recently approved a third dose of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines in that population. While requirements are still under development, the booster shots are highly beneficial to those who are immunocompromised.
Who is considered immunocompromised?
The booster shots are highly beneficial to those who are immunocompromised, including:
Recipients of organ or stem cell transplants
People with advanced or ultra-treated HIV infections
Active recipients of treatment for cancer
People that are taking medications that weaken the immune system
I’m immunocompromised. How long after my second doses can I receive the third?
For those who have received two doses of an mRNA vaccine (i.e. Pfizer or Moderna), the FDA and the CDC recommend a third dose 28 days or more after the first two doses. If the same vaccine is not available, an alternate mRNA vaccine may be administered, though more research is needed as to whether or not receiving a third dose of a different vaccine is safe.
We’ll be updating this blog post once more information about the vaccine booster shot is available so you can stay informed. For more information on where to get the vaccine, visit our vaccine page for info on where we vaccinate, or visit the CDC website for more information.
