The FDA approved updated vaccines against Covid-19 this week. Experts say the best time to get a shot will depend on your health, your age and whether you’ve recently had an infection.
New Covid-19 vaccines are coming to pharmacies soon, but should you rush to get one? The U.S. is currently seeing a rise in Covid-19 infections, and experts are weighing in on the best timing for getting the updated shot. This past week, the FDA approved new vaccines designed to target the most recent variants of the virus. But when to get vaccinated depends on a few key factors, including your age, health, and if you’ve recently had Covid.
Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease expert and professor at Emory University, notes that while these vaccines offer important protection, it may not be necessary to get them right away, especially if you’ve recently had Covid. “If you’ve had Covid in the last three months, there’s no need to rush,” del Rio explains. “In a way, you’ve already been vaccinated by the current strain.” He plans to wait a few months before getting his shot.
However, del Rio adds that if you’re over 65 or have certain health conditions that put you at higher risk, you should prioritize getting vaccinated. “Older adults and those with underlying conditions should get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he says.
Dr. Paul Offit, who serves as the director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, breaks down which groups are at the highest risk. He mentions that the most vulnerable include people who are immune-compromised, individuals with medical conditions like obesity and diabetes, pregnant people, and adults over 75. These groups should act fast to ensure they are protected from the increasing infections.
Younger, healthier adults might have more flexibility in deciding when to get the shot. Offit and other experts suggest that for these individuals, waiting a bit might be smarter. Since the immunity provided by the vaccine tends to fade after a few months, delaying the shot until closer to fall could ensure stronger protection during the peak of the respiratory virus season in December and January.
Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, agrees with this advice. She suggests that if you haven’t been infected with Covid recently, the new vaccines will be particularly beneficial. “The current variants differ from last winter’s, so this year’s boosters are matched to the newer strains,” she says. Ranney, however, plans to wait until October, when she also gets her flu shot.
Ranney also points out that while Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines will be available soon, Novavax, which offers a protein-based vaccine, will follow a few weeks later. For those who are hesitant about mRNA vaccines, Novavax could be a good alternative.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California, San Francisco, also plans to wait a few more weeks before getting vaccinated. He’s more concerned about winter than the current summer wave. But he advises people to think about their own habits. “If you tend to forget or get too busy, any time is a good time to get the shot,” Chin-Hong says. “It’s better to get a shot now than risk not getting one later.”
For some, the convenience of getting the flu and Covid vaccines at the same time makes more sense. “I like to get everything done at once,” Chin-Hong adds, noting that minimizing trips to the pharmacy could be a good strategy for those with busy schedules.
Dr. Peter Hotez, another expert in infectious diseases and vaccine development at Texas Children’s Hospital, believes that the approach to Covid vaccinations needs to change. He mentions that Covid waves have occurred during the summer for the past few years, leading to ongoing uncertainty about the best time to get vaccinated. “The mRNA vaccines aren’t as durable as we’d like,” Hotez says, advocating for a system of twice-a-year vaccinations to provide better protection against the virus.
One of the challenges ahead, according to Hotez, is whether vaccine manufacturers can handle producing more than one shot per year. This remains an open question, but experts agree that we need to rethink how Covid vaccines are distributed.
With the new vaccines arriving and another wave of infections happening, it’s important for everyone to consider their own health, risks, and personal schedules. Whether you decide to get vaccinated right away or wait a little longer, experts emphasize that protection is key, especially as the colder months approach.
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