Do I need another Covid shot?
Do I need another Covid shot?
Oct 17 Written By Monte Uyemura
Do I need another Covid shot? Officials are working hard to make recommendations on vaccines as information evolves, but it can make it hard for the rest of us to know what to do, so here's a ranking of who should get a covid first, second or third shot as of most recent recommendations.
Top Priority. If you are over 65, obese, or have underlying medical conditions and have not been vaccinated, you are in the group we most want to get vaccinated.
If you are eligible for vaccine, 12 years of age or older, and have not been vaccinated. This applies especially to the people who are older, and with underlying medical conditions. It is likely that healthy kids between 12 and 17 should be ranked lower on this list.
If you have received one Johnson and Johnson or two Moderna or Pfizer vaccines at least 28 days ago and you are being treated for cancer, an organ or bone marrow transplant recipient, immunodeficiency syndrome, advanced or untreated HIV or on chronic immunosuppressive medication we recommend an additional dose. (abbreviated list. ask if you have questions if you are in this group)
The remaining rankings are groups of people that are considered fully vaccinated. There are ethical considerations in giving these populations extra doses when there are people in other parts of the world who essentially do not have access to covid vaccines. Protection against any covid infection seems to wane with time, but especially for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, protection against serious or intensive care unit infection is still good even after 6 months. The only booster vaccine available today for the groups below is the Pfizer, but I anticipate approval within the week for Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.
4. If you received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine more than two months ago and do not belong to a high risk group. The initial efficacy trials were good, but one Johnson and Johnson shot was not as effective as two Pfizer or Moderna shots. The advisory committee has recommended the second shot, and the FDA is expected to authorize a second Johnson & Johnson vaccine possibly later this week.
5. If you received both Moderna or Pfizer vaccines over 6 months ago, and you are 65 or over, or are 18-64 with underlying medical conditions or work in a high risk occupation(eg. healthcare worker,teachers) or live in high risk setting(eg. prison, homeless shelter) There has not yet been approval for mixing of vaccines. In other words, for now, if you received one vaccine, then all subsequent doses need to be the same type. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for emergency use for this group. The Moderna vaccine has received the recommendation from the FDA advisory committee, and is expected to get emergency use approval from the FDA possibly on Thursday at half the dose given in the first two doses.
If you received the Moderna vaccine and are anxiously awaiting official booster approval from the FDA, my advice is to relax and continue to do what feels right for you in reducing your chance of exposure. From a public health standpoint, I do not believe the data is as robust to support the recommendation for booster vaccines. On an individual basis, however, you may want to have the extra protection, and I suspect our medical community will make it available when it is formally approved.