These people should be the last in line for COVID-19 boosters, experts say

While COVID-19 boosters are available to certain groups of people (mostly the most at risk), and we should all take the time to take our chance when it is our turn, there are a few variables that we should consider. Experts agree that those who are fully vaccinated and survived COVID-19 infection should be the last to get their booster vaccination.

The Wall Street Journal spoke to several experts who said that this group of people is better protected than the rest because they have been exposed to the virus three times (two vaccines, one infection).

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“I wouldn’t ask her to get a booster dose. I think they just got it, “said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital. While Offit supports boosters for older adults, he believes it’s a little early for the general public.

In fact, Gary McLean, a professor of molecular biology in London, said that fully vaccinated people who have had COVID-19 may not even need a booster vaccination. While vaccines produce an immune response to the virus’ spike protein and produce “spike-specific” immunity, infection produces more general immunity that protects you from variants and more. The union of these two means that these people are very well equipped to fight the virus.

New data suggests that vaccine immunity decreases after five months after vaccination, especially with the Pfizer vaccine. However, experts claim that an antibody test might be the most accurate way to determine who needs the booster or not, as every body reacts differently to the vaccine.

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When discussing COVID-19, a daily approach is the appropriate response. It is important to stay up to date on the news and COVID-19 rates in your area so that you can stay protected and know the activities that are safest.