Why You Shouldn ’ t Wait for Updated COVID-19 Boosters

A new version of Omicron, BA.5, is now responsible for more than half of new infections in the U.S. No one seems safe from being able to catch it: not even vaccinated people or those who have gotten COVID-19 in the past. That’s because this virus is different enough from the original version—and even from previous versions of Omicron—that the vaccines and booster shots everyone has been getting are less effective against BA.5. Plus, any immunity that people generate, whether after getting vaccinated or infected naturally, wanes after several months. Given the nation’s diminished immunity and current BA.5 surge, more people are wondering whether they should get a booster (or second booster) now, or if they should wait until the fall when a new shot will likely be available. Here’s what to know. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Who should get a booster? Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend one booster shot for everyone ages 5 and older who are five months out from their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, and second booster doses for people ages 50 and older at least four months after their first booster. (Additional boosters are recommended for people with weakened immune systems.) Public health officials are considering expanding eligibility for a second booster to all adults, but both the FDA and CDC are still reviewing data before making a recommendation. ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 healthscienceclimate Source Type: news