The CDC advises that some groups such as those age 65+ “should” get boosters of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Others “may” get a booster. What factors should those in the second group weigh when deciding whether to get a booster dose?
The CDC advises that some groups such as those age 65+ “should” get boosters of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Others “may” get a booster. What factors should those in the second group weigh when deciding whether to get a booster dose?
This explainer is more than 90 days old. Some of the information might be out of date or no longer relevant. Browse our homepage for up to date content or request information about a specific topic from our team of scientists.
This article has been translated from its original language. Please reach out if you have any feedback on the translation.
SciLine reaches out to our network of scientific experts and poses commonly asked questions about newsworthy topics. Reporters can use the video clips, audio, and comments below in news stories, with attribution to the scientist who made them.
SciLine reaches out to our network of scientific experts and poses commonly asked questions about newsworthy topics. Reporters can use the video clips, audio, and comments below in news stories, with attribution to the scientist who made them.
Publication
What our experts say
Context and background
Expert Comments:
Camille Kotton, M.D
So at this point, frontline workers may get an additional dose of vaccine. The majority of those frontline workers are actually protected by robust vaccine immunity, at this point, and are unlikely to need an additional dose of vaccine. That being said, the new guidance from the CDC suggests that they can get an additional dose of vaccine. And for some, perhaps due to extenuating health circumstances of either their own or family members or whatnot, they may feel more comfortable getting an additional dose of vaccine which they could do at this point.
Steven Varga, Ph.D.
The COVID vaccines are working very well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. With the delta variant’s dominance as the circulating strain—and cases of COVID-19 increasing significantly across the U.S.—a booster dose will help strengthen protection against severe disease in those populations who are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 or the complications from severe disease.
