Don't get COVID-19 booster vaccine too soon

[left-of-center2012]

Mayo Clinic experts say the pending FDA approval for a booster vaccine does not mean the general public should go out and get a third dose of vaccine, whenever they think they need it.
The timing for a booster is important and designed to give extended immunity protection.
Sooner is not necessarily better and these experts have other concerns.

"We're certainly aware of news reports that people, on their own, are going out and getting a third dose," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "I would urge caution about that. We don't have a lot of data on that and we want to do this in a manner that offers the most benefit and the least risk."

Dr. Melanie Swift, co-chair of the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Work Group, agrees. "There are some things we don't know about that," says Dr. Swift. "One is that they could develop more side effects and are at more risk of adverse reactions. We don't think so, but we would have to actually study that or follow the population to find out."

"We don't want people just going out and getting vaccinated, soaking up the available supply," says Dr. Swift. "If they have a healthy immune system and got their full first series, they should expect to be covered for at least eight months after that series so they don't need to go out and get an early booster.”
Finally, Drs. Swift and Poland encourage people to follow the science and talk with their health care providers.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dont-get-covid-19-booster-vaccine-too-soon

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

1. "If they have a healthy immune system", so those at risk should get it sooner than 8 months!

Fully vaccinated hospital workers have seen their protection levels drop to 66% from 90%+.

ANY at risk people should be cleared NOT TO WAIT!

I think they just pulled that 8 months number out of the air, we need to get ahead of the CURVE

[left-of-center2012]

7. "ANY at risk people should be cleared NOT TO WAIT!"

Did you read the linked article?

"The FDA has already approved a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for those who have compromised immune systems, as part of their primary vaccine series. That third vaccine is not considered a booster."

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

12. We know. Thats not what I'm saying, other groups are weakened from medical conditions too!

Getting infected could be a death sentence for alot of people made to wait months extra, make it 6 months for a booster for higher risk individuals.

[Treefrog]

2. Sounds like good advice.

I won’t be eligible for awhile anyway. I’m in no hurry.

Still masking, and I’m quite happy in my own little world of animals, gardening, and the occasional BritBox show.

[KentuckyWoman]

3. I get banged up on DU every time I say this.

People claiming immune compromised just to get in on a 3rd shot aren't doing themselves a favor. I doubt any harm. Maybe, but doubtful.

There is plenty of supply now in the US. They aren't taking shots from anyone else.

It is just not beneficial to go sooner than needed.

All said I would rather see people jumping to get boosters too soon than neglect it... but oiy ... why get so worked up they lie about a medical condition trying to get in front of a line that doesn't even exist. Just silliness.

[FakeNoose]

4. I should get my booster vaccine in November

... because that would be 8 months from March, when I got my first 2 shots.

Is that how it works?

[ProfessorGAC]

15. That's Me, Too

My wife would be 2 weeks sooner. She got her first on Valentine's Day. I got mine on March 3rd.
So, early November for her, mid-month for me.

[Jerry2144]

6. Eight months?

I got my second dose in February through work (Public Safety-related field). That means October I might need it. I am healthy with no immune issues so I probably am low risk. But of our Occupational Medicine group offers boosters and recommends them, I will get it. I do need to look out for me and my loved ones since these (insert favorite expletives here) refuse to mask up, vax up, and backup.

[StarryNite]

8. Thank you for posting this.

Some people have been posting some bad and perhaps harmful recommendations. One example is that the people who got the J&J should run right out and get one of the other vaccines as a booster. At this time that is NOT the recommendation by the science and medical communities. We either believe and follow the science or we don't.

[beaglelover]

9. I'll be getting my booster on 12/26. 8 months from 2nd dose.

[captain queeg]

10. I don't think I'm eligible till December based on the 8 months but I have multiple myeloma

Which I think puts me in the compromised group. I’m going to see my family doctor for a physical next week so I’ll see what he says.

[LisaL]

16. Those who are getting active treatments for blood cancers qualify.

NT

[DURHAM D]

11. What if we first get the antibody test.

Would that tell us anything?

[NightWatcher]

13. Got mine 6 months after #1 and felt an immune response the next day

24 hours after the shot I was back to normal.

[hlthe2b]

14. There is such a thing as too soon (though this does not apply to immunocompromised who should

get their booster NOW).

But whether it is 5 months (as the Israelis are recommending for those 50 and up) or 8 months which is more supported by the logistics, rather than any scientific assessment (given our first vaccinations of HCWs were vaccinated in January approx 7 1/2 months ago)-- is not clear.

What is clear is that boostering a few weeks to a few months is undoubtedly too soon if the goal is to maximize the ultimate immune response (unless immunocompromised). Mayo is undoubtedly trying to nip this type of "premature" receipt of a booster dose in the bud and I agree.