Everything You Should Know About COVID Booster Shots

After a two-day extensive review, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially announced the availability of Pfizer vaccine booster shots for people at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection. People might still be wary so we have collected information from trusted sources to show everything you should know about the new COVID Booster Shots:

What is a COVID-19 booster shot?

COVID booster shots are an extra dose of the vaccine. You can receive it if the protective benefits of the original shot have begun to fade over time. After the immunity from the initial dose starts to wane, you can get a booster shot. The booster prolongs your immunity. You can get it at least 6 months after the Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.

Does the CDC recommend COVID-19 Booster Shots for older people?

Yes, especially those who have multiple medical conditions or those who are in long-term care settings. As a means of helping to increase protection against COVID-19, the CDC offers Pfizer/BioNTech booster shots to millions of Americans at high risk.

They recommend booster shots to the following who had the first Pfizer primary series:

• People over 65 years of age and living in long-term care settings 
• People ages 18-64 years with medical conditions, like cancer or any chronic illnesses.
• Workers who are at higher risk for COVID-19 infection because of occupational or institutional settings

The booster shots are also now available to many people who received their initial vaccine early in the vaccination program and will benefit from additional protection. Since COVID-19 cases are rising across the United States, booster shots will enhance protection against severe diseases. The CDC committee will keep track of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines against new variants to ensure continuous recommendations to keep the senior people safe.

Is a booster shot available for other vaccine recipients?

In the United States, 55 percent of people have received all their vaccinations.  The people who had the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or who live in long-term care facilities will be able to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. So if your vaccine is Pfizer-BioNTech, you can get a booster shot for COVID-19. However, people who received a dose of the Moderna-NIAID and J&J vaccine are not eligible to receive boosters until the FDA and CDC review the data.

Do I need a physician's approval for a booster shot?

If you belong to the list of eligible people for booster shots, then a physician's approval is not necessary. However, seniors should wait for six months before getting the booster. A longer waiting time enhances immunity. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that your immune response needs to mature for several months. Then, the shot will have an enhanced antibody response.

Are there any side effects that I should expect after my (third) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

For seniors, the third dose may cause milder side effects like the second dose. 

However, the CDC reports that you may experience the common side effects, such as:

• Sore arms
• Weariness
• Low or mild flu
• Muscle aches

It’s important to keep in mind that vaccines cause different reactions. If you would like more information, you can visit the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites. Consult your doctor or other health care providers for more information on COVID-19 booster shots.

Is COVID-19 Booster Vaccine necessary?

According to the survey, most people over 50 believe a booster shot of COVID-19 is necessary. The scientists, public health officials, and health agencies are still in the process of making booster shots mandatory or not. As cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant of the virus rise, the administration of President Joe Biden is concerned that infections among those who have already been vaccinated could indicate waning immunity. Boosters have therefore been suggested as a way to strengthen immunity.