When can we expect a COVID-19 booster?

There has been talk of COVID-19 boosters since the introduction of vaccines earlier this year. These boosters have been compared to flu shots; after a certain time you would have to get a new syringe to stay protected from the virus.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who were vaccinated over six months ago are still protected from the virus, delaying conversations about boosters. That is good news.

RELATED: This COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effect Is More Common Than Expected

Photo from CDC via Unsplash

While this doesn’t mean that a booster dose isn’t needed in the long run, it does mean that vaccines are as effective as predicted and provide significant protection for half a year. But when are these boosters needed? Are they even necessary?

According to data presented last Wednesday by the CDC and the Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, booster vaccination would be recommended if any of the following conditions are met: If there is evidence that vaccines are becoming less effective (this would be measured by increasing numbers of infections )) or if a new COVID-19 variant appears and is not affected by the COVID-19 vaccines in circulation. This is known as the “escape variant”.

RELATED: Did Your COVID-19 Vaccine Work? That will let you know

Research on boosters and COVID-19 vaccines is still ongoing. If boosters were to be made, it is not known if everyone needs them or if only a subset of them would benefit, for example people with compromised immune systems or the elderly. When it comes to immunocompromised people or those copying with an underlying disease, there is evidence that they are receiving their COVID-19 syringes and are not producing antibodies to the virus. However, these tests that measure antibodies are not as accurate, so it will take more time and research to get a clearer picture.

Vaccines haven’t been around that long, so there isn’t enough data to know if they offer protection for more than six months. Currently, data shows that people infected with COVID-19 have protection that lasts for up to eight months.