Should You Get the Third COVID Vaccine or the Booster Shot?
With COVID cases rising among children as many schools return to in-person learning, it is natural to be fearful of transmission and a repeat of the events that unfolded in late 2019. With two different options—a third vaccine and booster shots—being introduced simultaneously, many are confused as to who is best suited to receive which specific vaccine.
Dr. George Rutherford, pediatrician, Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and director of Prevention and Public Health Group explained in an interview which groups of people should consider the third dose. “The third dose is indicated for a small group of people…2-4% of U.S. adults who have immune deficiencies, [people] born with them, or infected with [diseases] like HIV…[people] taking medicines that suppress their immune systems…or [people who] have various immune diseases, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. These people do not develop immunity anywhere near the same level [as people who are not immunocompromised].”
The booster shot, by contrast, is intended for those who have received the first dose of their vaccine and are starting to lose small amounts of immunity. Studies have shown that, as time passes, the efficacy of the vaccination decreases. Although some believe that once they are vaccinated, they can immediately return to their normal lives indefinitely, this is not the case.
Four months after full vaccination, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has an efficacy rate of 77%; Moderna has an efficacy rate of 92% after the same time period; the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has an efficacy rate of 68% after 28 days. If one has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine—categorized as an adenovirus vaccine based on how it works in the body—Dr. Rutherford highly advises to receive an mRNA vaccine, one that works in the same way as the Prizer or Moderna versions.
“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended on Sep 23, 2021, that giving booster doses be limited to only older people, 65 or older, or to people who have underlying medical conditions… the ones that if you have COVID, it would make it much worse,” Dr. Rutherford noted. “[Also,] people who are occupationally exposed at high levels. Think of health care works, think of prison guards, teachers.”
In many Bay Area counties, like San Francisco, restaurants and bars have been requiring proof of vaccination before customers are able to sit indoors. Although the CDC’s mask recommendations have been lessening and a higher percentage of community members are vaccinated, it is still crucial that one wears a mask while in close proximity to others. Even though schools may have limited seating in pandemic times, it is crucial for students to continue following school guidelines on COVID protocols.
While the present situation may seem devoid of the normalcy that existed in the pre-pandemic world, it is important that the public understands the differences between the third vaccine and the booster shot, and to receive a COVID vaccination if they have not already!
