United States: People may wish to get their COVID-19 booster shot at a time of higher community transmission rates, a study reveals.
Getting the shot this way can significantly enhance protection against COVID infection by up to four times more than getting vaccinated when COVID transmission is low, the authors wrote in their paper published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, as reported by HealthDay.
Strategic Booster
“The data clearly show the decisive role that timing plays with COVID-19 boosters,” said Jeffery Townsend, the lead researcher and Professor of Biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health.
“Our research shows that receiving your booster shot at the right time can make a significant difference in your protection against infection,” he said. “By tailoring booster schedules to local COVID-19 patterns, we can help ensure people are best protected when they need it most.”
Key Findings
Data indicate that getting the booster shot in September or October is three to four times more effective at preventing infection in the United States compared to getting it in the latter parts of the year.
For instance, the study reveals that New Yorkers can enjoy the best level of protection when they take their booster on September 15. It significantly drops its efficacy to 3.6 times less if waited until January.
The study said booster shots are recommended to be given suboptimally before COVID peaks by approximately three weeks. It allows the shot to get to its peak protection in time when the virus begins circulating, according to the researchers.
Insights on Breakthrough
Researchers also said extending the interval between the first two shots might be most beneficial for those infected with COVID after getting the primary vaccination. This is especially so if they get the virus at the end of the year when the incidences of cold and flu are rife.
Oxfordergic researchers also pointed out that if a breakthrough infection happens when a person is due for a booster shot, that individual might benefit from waiting several months before getting it, as reported by HealthDay.
As far as the findings of these studies are concerned, these are extremely useful for the elderly and for those patients with weak immune systems who are at high risk for severe COVID.
