In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster shots to protect against the most prevalent omicron strains in addition to the initial COVID-19 strain of the virus for people who have had their last COVID-19 shot at least two months prior. However, some medical experts are recommending that people wait longer between vaccine doses. Here’s what you need to know.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster shots in August. The booster protects against the most prevalent omicron strains and the initial COVID-19 strain for people who have had their last COVID-19 shot at least two months prior.
However, some medical experts are recommending that people wait longer between vaccine doses. Here’s what you need to know.
Medical experts, such as Aubree Gordon, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, say that generally, people should wait 4-6 months after their most recent COVID-19 shot or infection to get a booster. This is because after having the virus so recently, the immune system won’t trigger much of an immune response.
“Your immunity level is so high that you’ll just neutralize immediately the antigen that’s being produced — you kind of reach a ceiling,” she told The New York Times. “You don’t have that much higher to go.”
Dr. Gordon added that it will take 1-2 weeks for your booster to take full effect.
Related stories about COVID-19 boosters:
These are the side effects to expect from omicron-targeted COVID booster shots
Can I get a flu shot and COVID booster shot at the same time?
Should I get a COVID booster shot if I had COVID?
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