COVID-19 Booster Shots: Are They Becoming a Regular Part of Life?
Four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the question on everyone’s mind is whether booster shots will become a regular part of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended a round of booster shots for everyone over the age of six months, even those who hadn’t received a full round of the initial vaccine. This recommendation was made in anticipation of a strong COVID-19 season, and it turned out to be accurate.
As the holiday season approached, cases spiked due to a new subvariant of Omicron, JN.1, which spread rapidly and soon became the dominant strain of the virus. Currently, the subvariant accounts for nearly 95% of cases in the U.S., according to data from the CDC.
On February 28, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss the possibility of a spring booster. The committee voted 11 to 1, with one abstention, to recommend an additional COVID-19 booster for everyone over the age of 65 this spring. CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed this recommendation, stating that “most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older. An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk.”
During the meeting, the advisory committee presented data from the CDC showing that the odds of being hospitalized from COVID-19 decreased by 54% for otherwise healthy individuals aged 65 or older who had been vaccinated.
The CDC currently recommends an updated COVID-19 booster shot for all Americans over the age of 5, regardless of whether they have received their initial round of vaccines. Under the new recommendation, individuals over 65 should also receive a second booster shot. Children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years old should receive full vaccination, followed by an updated booster shot.
The CDC emphasizes that the COVID vaccine is safe for people during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it may help protect infants who are ineligible for the shot.
During the ACIP meeting, a representative from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), David Kaslow, mentioned that a new vaccine booster may be available in the fall for the 2024-2025 season. The CDC recommends waiting four months between booster shots, and Kaslow advised that anyone getting a spring booster should do so before June. The CDC also recommends waiting three months after a COVID-19 infection to get vaccinated.
The question remains: Are COVID boosters here to stay? History suggests that they might be. In 1957, a new strain of the flu caused significant deaths in the United States. By 1960, health officials were recommending flu vaccines for high-risk individuals, and eventually, an annual shot was recommended for everyone. However, unlike the flu, which has one peak season during the fall and winter, COVID-19 cases spike multiple times each year.
The CDC states that there have been at least two to three periods of high community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 annually for the past four years. If boosters are recommended each year, it is likely that they will be required twice a year.
While the virus is expected to persist, the CDC notes that severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths are declining as the vaccination rate and population immunity increase. The agency reports that 81% of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of February.
As we navigate through this ongoing pandemic, it is essential to stay informed about vaccine recommendations and take necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our communities. Regular booster shots may become a part of our lives, but they offer added protection against severe illness and contribute to the decline in COVID-19 cases. Stay vigilant, get vaccinated, and together, we can overcome this global health crisis.
