Booster Shots: Your Questions Answered
We are now in Fall of 2021 and many of us have already had our second vaccine doses. You may be wondering:
"When do I get my booster"?
"Which one do I get"?
"If I am pregnant can I get my booster"?
We will go over some of the questions that you have about your COVID-19 booster shots. We might also answer questions you may not have known that you had!
Remind Me... How Many Types of Vaccines Are There?
There are currently three authorized COVID-19 vaccines that are approved for use in the United States to prevent COVID-19. According to the CDC, either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) are preferred. However, you may get Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in some situations.
What Exactly is a Booster Shot?
A booster shot or dose refers to an additional dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after their initial vaccination(s). But, that protection has decreased over time (this is called waning immunity), so a booster shot is required.
What About an Additional Dose?
An additional dose refers to a dose of an another vaccine dose when the initial immune response in an individual following the primary vaccine series may be insufficient. There are studies that indicate that some immunocompromised people do not always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do. Therefore, these people may benefit from an additional dose to ensure adequate protection against COVID-19.
When Can I Get My Booster?
See the first image below if you have questions about if it is time to get your booster!
Is It Safe To Get the COVID-19 Booster Shot If You’re Pregnant?
Yes, getting the COVID-19 vaccine booster is safe for people who are pregnant.
Well Are There More Risks If You’re Pregnant?
Similarly to side effects from the initial COVID-19 vaccinations, there are no any risks to those who are pregnant or their children from the side effects of a booster shot.
According to the FDA,
"-The use of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine that may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals:
-65 years of age and older
-18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
-18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2
-The use of a single booster dose of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
-The use of each of the available COVID-19 vaccines as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) booster dose in eligible individuals following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine.
-To clarify that a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2."
What Can I Expect During My Appointment? After?
Remember to bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment. That way your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact where you received your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
You may also experience side effects after getting your COVID-19 vaccine. This is normal, and it is signs from your body that it is building protection against COVID-19.
Contact us with any questions or make an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters today!
