Is It Time for Another Booster?

The FDA approved the second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for certain people who got their first booster four months prior.

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By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant Today's Top Story When Should You Get Your Second Booster Shot? Adults over 50, people 12 or older who are immunocompromised, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients are all eligible for the second booster shot.   When should you get it? Is there a way to time it to be most effective?   The experts we spoke with encourage people to get their second booster as soon as they can, which is at least four months after the initial booster shot.   "Because it is so hard to predict when we might get infected, we generally recommend getting vaccinations whenever they are due or indicated," Mark Loafman, MD, MPH, family physician at Cook County Health, told Verywell. "Fine-tuning the timing to coincide with travel plans or other scenarios that may pose a much higher risk can be done in some cases, though again, it is generally best to not delay vaccinations. Know More It's OK to get the second booster shot even if you just had COVID. Previously, patients treated with monoclonal antibody infusions to treat COVID were told to wait 90 days to avoid the risk of interactions with the vaccine. Experts now say that you can get your booster once your isolation period is over. Feel Better If you are fully vaccinated and have your first booster, you are still protected against COVID. But the second booster is especially important if you live in an area with medium to high COVID-19 community levels. READ MORE Coping With Mother's Day Grief If Mother's Day was difficult for you, you're not alone. For many people who have lost their mothers, Mother's Day can bring up feelings of grief. Even if your loss was long ago, it's normal to experience difficult emotions. Treat yourself with kindness, allow yourself to confront what you're feeling, and ask for help if you need it. READ MORE USPSTF: Adults 60+ Should Not Start Taking Daily Aspirin People over the age of 60 should not start taking aspirin daily to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, according to finalized guidance from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Daily aspirin use can increase the risk of severe bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. For years, physicians advised older adults to take baby aspirin to help prevent heart attacks, but new research suggests the risks outweigh the benefits. READ MORE   If you have any questions about the booster, its effectiveness against variants, or the best time to get it after being infected with COVID-19 infection, I encourage you to reach out to your family physician, who can help you make the best decision based on your medical needs. Natasha Bhuyan, MD Family physician at One Medical     Keep Reading   ■ The Motherhood Advice You Actually Need. The New York Times     ■ How to Win the Abortion Argument. The Atlantic     ■ Emotions—They're Not Just For Humans. NPR SPONSORED BY DISCOVER PERSONAL LOANS How to Pay for Medical Expenses Medical care can be expensive, but key strategies can help reduce the costs. Find out how to minimize expenses and secure financing if you need it. READ NOW  › More From Verywell How Soon Can You Get Boosted After Contracting COVID? READ MORE What Is Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD)? READ MORE Signs You Are Experiencing Disenfranchised Grief READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.         You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy