Should I Get the New Coronavirus/Omicron Boost? Yes, and Timing is Everything

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The new mRNA Coronavirus booster shots, supplied by Moderna and Pfizer, are rapidly becoming available.
They are formulated to protect against the original Wuhan virus and the newer/dominant Omicron variants, BA.4, BA.5. They are also effective against the slow-growing BA.4.6 strain.
Per the FDA authorization and CDC guidelines, anyone 12 years old or older may get the new Pfizer boost (one-time dose), so long as it has been at least 2 months since the most recent COVID shot and/or prior infection. The same is true with the Moderna boost for people 18 years old or older.
The 2-month-between-shots-or-infections timing might not be optimal for all people, because numerous studies have shown that the prior boosters are most effective and most enduring after approximately 6 months after a prior vaccine or COVID infection in most healthy people.
Regardless, you should consult your primary-care doctor prior to deciding, as everyone’s situation is different.

I’m sure that, by now, most of us have heard the good news of the FDA-approved updated coronavirus booster shots. These mRNA bivalent vaccines target both original BA.1 (AKA Wuhan) strain and the latest and most transmissible Omicron subvariants, mainly BA.4, BA.5. Studies have also indicated protection against the new BA4.6 subvariant, which is currently on the horizon. Fortunately, as of this writing, there are no identified variants of concern that the new boost is known to not protect against. Hence, this is likely a great opportunity to significantly reduce our chances of contracting COVID and especially becoming seriously ill or dying of COVID.

These updated vaccines are in full production and are already starting to become available to the general public. In fact, my local Walgreens in Greater Los Angeles, CA is accepting appointments for the updated Pfizer vaccine starting today (September 7^th).

Are they safe and effective?

Based on the animal trials and human trials to date coupled with their overall similarity to the original vaccine formulations (same basic ingredients), both vaccines are considered to be very safe. I know some people are uncomfortable with the FDA basing its approval largely on animal studies. However, if the FDA had relied solely on human clinical trials, there is a good chance the corona virus would have mutated into yet another strain that would be resistant to these new vaccines. Hence, time is of essence in protecting as many people as possible from this deadly disease and in eventually establishing some level of herd immunity that will lessen the overall spread and mutation rate of this virus going forward. IOW, the overall loss-of-life risk of waiting for human trials is much greater than that of using animal studies combined with qualifying/approving the new vaccines by similarity to the existing vaccines, as the ingredients and manufacturing processes are essentially the same. This has been standard practice for some time in approving updated annual flu vaccines each year. And the flu is just another form of the coronavirus. So, if we’re comfortable with that approach with the annual flu shot, then why should we treat the COVID vaccine any different?

Meanwhile, I believe the new vaccine’s effectiveness has yet to be quantified, as such requires substantial real-world data taken over the next several months. However, I do believe there is ample evidence that it will help a lot, mainly based on antibody level increases that were noted during both the human and animal studies. Remember, whenever, antibody levels increase (immediate but temporary benefit), so do the B cells (memory cells) and T cells (helper cells). And I believe there is every reason to believe the same will hold true with these updated vaccines. For further information regarding the corona virus vaccine, how it works, and its safety/effectiveness, please see “Understanding the Coronavirus Vaccine” and “Could the Coronavirus Vaccine Cause Long COVID?” (it doesn’t), also on DruryJournal.

When am I Eligible to Get It? And When Should I Get It?

According to the current CDC guidelines, everyone 12 years old and older is eligible after 2 months after having received either the initial vaccine series (regardless of vaccine technology and manufacturer), a booster, or having tested positive for COVID.

However, this timing might not be optimal for all people, as recent studies suggest that 6 months between doses provides stronger and more enduring protection. Thus, it is considered optimal for most healthy people in most situations. This is because, per another recent study, antibody protection lasts at least 6 months, and an additional study indicates that B cells continue to mature until approximately 6 months after vaccination or infection. It has been known for some time that boosters (including existing COVID boosters) are most effective when administered once the antibody levels wane somewhat after prior vaccination and/or actual COVID infection.

This doesn’t mean the vaccines would be harmful or completely ineffective if given between 2 and 6 months, as they would still provide some protection. However, I believe it does mean we’ll usually get the best “bang for the buck” if we wait the full 6 months after receiving our initial COVID vaccine series, a COVID boost, or test positive for COVID, whichever of these happens most recently.

However, there are other factors to consider, including other health factors/risks and current COVID case counts. Thus, as I have always recommended, we should check with our primary care doctors prior to deciding, especially if in doubt.

Reference

“The CDC’s Booster Recommendations May Not Provide Optimal Protection” article in Time Magazine, published on Yahoo News on September 6^th, 2022.