The Doctor Is In

By Damon Raskin, M.D. | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Q:Most of my friends and family were relieved when the COVID-19 vaccines first became available. Then came the boosters, and the people I know were a little slower to get them, but eventually did it. And now, with the updated booster, it seems to not be on my loved ones’ radars. Could you please share some points that I could bring to their attention to hopefully convince them to take it more seriously and sign up for the booster dose?

Many of my patients are wondering the same thing, and many have more questions. Should we get the next COVID booster? When should we get it? What about getting it at the same time as the flu shot? How is this one different? What about getting the shot if I just had COVID?

Most Americans are definitely getting “COVID fatigue.” They are tired of hearing about it, not as interested in further shots and see it more as a nuisance than a threatening condition.

While it is true that the landscape has changed since the initial vaccines came out, COVID can still be serious and lead to long-term complications, missed work and school, as well as hospitalizations. The disease is still killing more than 400 Americans per day even now.

The most vulnerable are those with chronic underlying conditions, the elderly and those who have chosen to remain unvaccinated. I have many patients in my practice who still suffer long-term effects from their prior COVID infections, including chronic fatigue, “brain fog,” respiratory issues and even stomach problems.

This new booster now available is different than the prior boosters as it is called a bivalent vaccine. That means that not only does it boost the protective antibodies of the original COVID strains, but also boosts antibodies specifically for the currently circulating strains of the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

These strains are more contagious and more resistant than the earlier strains of Omicron, and this is why many patients are still getting COVID despite being fully vaccinated and boosted. The hope is that this booster will actually prevent more transmission and COVID cases—not just serious illness, hospitalization and death. The studies to back this hope up are still ongoing, however.

Although we do not yet have the hard evidence that the new shots will provide longer-lasting protection than previous boosters, there is a push to get these boosters now before the anticipated surge in cases in the upcoming fall and winter months. As school is back and more people congregate together during the winter months, more people are likely to spread microbes. This is the same logic as to why flu shots are given at this time of year as well.

So who should get the booster and when? Anyone 12 and older should get the booster, and they can be given anytime two months after the last booster or three months after having had COVID. The flu shot can be given at the same time and does not need to be spaced out from the booster.

Similar reactions to this booster have been seen as those with prior boosters such as local swelling, soreness, body aches, fever and fatigue. There is no evidence that Pfizer or Moderna brands are much different, so you can go with the prior brand you had or mix it up. The best brand is the one they have at your local pharmacy.

Scientists are currently working on a more “universal” COVID vaccine that could hopefully protect us against current and future strains of the disease, and may require just a yearly booster like the flu vaccines we have now. But, while we are waiting, I would encourage all those who meet the criteria to get the latest protection.

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