Should I Get COVID-19 Booster Shots?

Why do I need a booster?

While vaccination provides strong protection against COVID-19, we have discovered, like many immunizations, that immunity wanes or gradually decreases over time. A booster helps you maintain an effective level of immunity against the virus.

Who is eligible to receive the booster?

All people 12 years and older can and should receive a booster following their primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, whether that be Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer or Moderna. For younger children between the ages of 5 and 11, the primary two-dose series seems to offer them stronger protection against COVID-19, so a booster is not recommended for that age group at this time.

When should I get the booster?

Timing of the booster depends on which vaccine you received. Efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine decreases quickly in the first few months, so a booster is recommended two months after your initial dose. Pfizer and Moderna, the two-part mRNA vaccinations, have shown better protection. If you received Pfizer or Moderna, it is now recommended that you get a booster five months following completion of your primary series.

How do the booster and the vaccine differ?

The only difference between the booster and the COVID-19 vaccine is the dosage for Moderna. The booster dose is half the amount of an initial dose, or 50 micrograms of mRNA instead of 100 micrograms. Pfizer contains the same dosage in the booster and the vaccine, at 30 micrograms of mRNA each. Otherwise, the composition of the booster is no different from the vaccine.

While mild side effects are common from the booster, these immunizations have shown to be effective at preventing severe disease and even death as the result of COVID-19.

John Paul Shoup, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatrics physician at BJC Medical Group located in Wentzville, Mo. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Shoup by calling 636.928.WELL.