What this health expert wants you to know about COVID-19 booster shots
The delta variant, first discovered in India, is quickly becoming the world's dominant strain and has been traced to a worrying surge in positive cases around the globe. In recent days, vaccination and mask mandates have been strengthened in places like New York and Los Angeles County.
The highly transmissible delta variant has people wondering: "Will I need a COVID-19 booster shot?"
But health professionals say while more data is needed to determine whether a booster shot might be needed, the COVID-19 vaccines are effective against preventing serious illness or death.
To find out more about whether a COVID-19 booster shot might be needed in the future, TPG spoke with Dr. Jenny Yu, the senior manager of medical integrity at Healthline Media (which is owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures), through email.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
There's been discussion about a possible COVID-19 booster shot. What is a booster shot, and what other vaccines use boosters?
Boosters are either the same or smaller dosage of the original vaccines to re-stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. Chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) are other vaccine examples that have boosters as well.
Pfizer said its COVID-19 vaccine becomes somewhat less effective over time and suggested that a booster shot may be needed in the future. Do scientists and infectious disease experts agree?
Yes, current studies are underway to understand the longevity of the initial vaccines.
Even without a booster shot, how effective are the coronavirus vaccines against serious illness and death?
The mRNA technology vaccines are highly effective against the more transmissible delta variant in terms of preventing serious illness and death. U.K. data for Pfizer is 96% and Canadian data for Moderna is 96%.
Would a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot protect against the highly transmissible delta variant?
That still needs to be determined. Most who have had the 2-shot series are not going to require hospitalization or have severe disease, logically, a booster shot would help with the longevity of the immunity.
Will people be able to get a booster shot that's different from the original vaccine they received?
[That is] unknown as of now, and would require further studies and research.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app