In mid-August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed their emergency use authorizations for two of the vaccines to allow additional doses for specific groups. Why do we need booster vaccines if we already got our COVID shot? What kinds of boosters are there, and how do they benefit your health? Learn more about the COVID-19 booster shot in the following blog.
As of right now, Pfizer and Moderna booster shots are approved for emergency use for the immuno-compromised, people who are 65 or older, or for those who are at high risk for contracting COVID-19. These boosters may increase protection against the virus for these groups of people.
What Are The Types of Booster Vaccines?
Right now, there are two types of COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Whichever one of the two-dose mRNA vaccines you have taken will determine which booster dose you take. These boosters are still in the early stages of development, which means we are still looking at all the available data to learn how these vaccines are handling the Delta Variant as well as other variants.
Something to note is there is a difference between a booster shot and a third dose, and that has to do with their separate functions.
What Do They Do?
The vaccine boosters are meant to lengthen the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is an additional dose given to a fully vaccinated person whose protection has reduced over time. This is different from a third dose of the vaccine.
Those are administered to people whose immune systems have not fully responded to the two previous shots of the vaccine. Moderately to severely immunocompromised people will receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine instead of the booster.
When Should You Get Your Booster?
When you get your booster shot is dependent on whether you are in the high-risk group or not. If you are immuno-compromised, over 65, or at high risk for contracting COVID, it is recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to get the booster for your vaccine as quickly as possible. The goal is for people to be eligible for the booster eight months after they receive the original vaccine.
As of right now, we do not know when the booster vaccines will be available for all age groups. It is dependent on when the FDA approves them for all ages.
Get Vaccinated at PHC
It is of the utmost importance to get vaccinated if you are capable. You can come by PHC to get your vaccine today!
Contact us for more information on the vaccine.
