CDC Issues Recommendations for Covid Booster Shots for Older Adults: Answers to Reader Questions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently released new recommendations regarding Covid booster shots for older adults. These recommendations have prompted many questions from concerned individuals, and in this week’s newsletter, we will address some of these questions to provide clarity and guidance.
Should Older Adults Get a Booster Shot?
Alan from New Jersey, an 87-year-old individual, and his wife are wondering if they should get a booster shot this spring. They received their last coronavirus shot, the bivalent vaccine, in April of last year. The answer is yes. Both Alan and his wife should get the booster shot as soon as possible.
Similarly, Andrew and his wife, American citizens who have retired to Ecuador, are unsure if they should get the most recent booster shot. They received their first two Pfizer vaccines in the United States and the first two AstraZeneca boosters in Ecuador. Since they have not received any boosters in two years and have not had Covid, it is recommended that they also get the most recent booster shot.
The Importance of the Monovalent Vaccine
The CDC has published an analysis that highlights the importance of the monovalent vaccine, which targets the XBB.1.5 subvariant. The analysis shows that vaccine effectiveness against Covid-associated hospitalization was 52 percent during the first seven to 59 days after receiving the monovalent shot. However, this effectiveness decreased to 43 percent by two to four months following vaccination.
This data emphasizes that individuals who receive the monovalent vaccine can significantly lower their risk of hospitalization if they contract the virus. While healthy young individuals with hybrid immunity from vaccination and prior infection have a low likelihood of severe illness, older individuals and those with chronic medical conditions are still at risk. Therefore, if they have not yet received the monovalent vaccine, they should not hesitate to do so.
Boosters and Future Vaccinations
Many individuals aged 65 and older are eager to receive their spring booster shot. However, some are concerned that getting the booster now might affect their ability to receive future boosters. The CDC assures that a new round of boosters is anticipated in the fall, with a vaccine composition that will likely be reformulated to target variants expected to circulate during the winter.
Therefore, vulnerable individuals should not delay getting their vaccines now. Getting a spring booster shot will not interfere with their ability to receive the new formulation in the fall. In fact, waiting too long to get another shot could pose a timing problem. The CDC recommends waiting at least four months between shots, so individuals who want a booster in the fall should not wait until the summer to get another shot.
Considerations for Recent Covid Cases
Individuals who have recently had Covid may wonder if they need the recommended booster shot. The CDC advises that people who have recently had Covid can wait at least three months before getting their next coronavirus shot. However, it is believed that they could probably wait longer, as strong immunity is conferred from infection.
For example, Bill from Ohio, who is 79 years old and recently recovered from Covid, and Gary from California, who is 78 and in a similar situation, can receive the spring booster in early June. They can then get the newly formulated vaccine in October or November. Alternatively, they can wait until September to get the new vaccine and skip the spring booster, as their recent infection essentially acted as a “boost” to their immunity.
Special Considerations for High-Risk Individuals
Some readers have raised concerns about their eligibility for the spring booster shot due to their medical conditions. Marisol from Oregon, who has had two unrelated cancer diagnoses and treatments, wonders if she should seek a spring vaccine even though she is still in her fifties. Anne from Indiana, who has an autoimmune disease and is on high-dose steroids, questions why a healthy 65-year-old can get the new booster but she cannot.
In response, it is important to note that Anne is eligible for the spring booster. The CDC recommends the shot for everyone aged 65 and older but allows younger individuals to receive an additional dose as well. Anne should discuss the specifics of her medical condition with her physician, as should Marisol. If Marisol had cancer in the past and is no longer on treatments, she is likely not considered high-risk. However, there might be other factors in her medical history that make her more vulnerable to Covid.
Conclusion
The CDC’s recent recommendations for Covid booster shots for older adults have sparked numerous questions from concerned individuals. It is crucial for older individuals and those with chronic medical conditions to receive the monovalent vaccine to lower their risk of hospitalization if they contract the virus. Additionally, individuals should not hesitate to get the spring booster shot, as it will not interfere with their ability to receive future boosters. Those who have recently had Covid can wait at least three months before getting their next shot
