your third dose,” he says. “So, it’s short-lived. The hope is that a second booster would restore it.”
But there are still a number of questions that need to be answered before approving second boosters, according to Dr. Jesse Goodman, a former chief scientist for the FDA.
“While protection is waning against mild infections, without more information we do not yet know to what extent, if any, protection is waning against severe disease,” he tells the Times.
It’s also not clear “to what degree and for how long another booster might help,” Goodman adds.
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A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released last month said the protection of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against hospitalization fell from 91% two months after a booster shot to 78% after four months, but that research did not break down hospitalizations by factors such as age or the presence of underlying conditions, the Times reported.
What to expect when getting a booster shot
According to the CDC, you can expect the following during and after your booster shot:
- Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
- You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
- If you have enrolled in v-safe, enter your booster shot in your v-safe account, the system will send you daily health check-ins. You will be able tell CDC about any side effects.
- A person is considered “boosted” and up to date right after getting their booster dose.
