COVID-19 third doses and booster shots are available. What SC doctors want you to know
After completing the initial vaccination series months ago, thousands of South Carolinians are preparing to roll up their sleeves again for a booster shot or third dose if they haven’t already.
But the process comes with a lot of questions, and it can be confusing as research on COVID-19 vaccines is constantly evolving. The Sun News spoke with South Carolina doctors to answer your questions about getting another shot.
What’s the difference between a third dose and a booster shot?
There’s an important difference between what experts refer to as the third dose of the coronavirus vaccine and a booster shot. For moderately to severely immunocompromised people, such as people going through cancer treatment or people who have undergone an organ transplant, a third dose is recommended at least 28 days after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
A booster shot is recommended for people who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second shot. Adults who received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago are also eligible to get another booster.
Why do I need a booster shot if I’ve been fully vaccinated or had COVID-19?
Research has shown that immunity, either through vaccination or infection with COVID-19, can wane over time, and a booster shot is meant to increase antibodies and maintain immunization over time.
“From the most recent data, there probably is some waning or some decrease in our level of protection over time,” said Dr. Paul Richardson, chief medical officer at Conway Medical Center. “It’s gonna be variable amongst patients, but as a general rule ... If you’re so far out (from your initial vaccination) and you’re in the candidate group, go get a booster.”
Does it matter which vaccine brand I get for my booster shot?
All three vaccine brands in the U.S. have been approved to be used as a booster shot, and guidance from federal agencies indicates a booster that differs from the initial vaccination series is safe and effective.
What are the side effects like after the third shot?
The potential side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines have been the topic of discussion since they were first rolled out, but there hasn’t been widespread evidence of major side effects. The same goes for the third dose.
For people who got the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for their initial doses, the side effects are likely to mirror the ones that followed the second dose, Richardson said.
“It’s almost a carbon copy,” Richardson said. “I don’t know one single person that’s been admitted to this hospital due to the side effects of this vaccine.”
Minor side effects, like a sore arm, body aches and a low-grade fever, could last a few days after the shot.
Does getting another shot help us move toward herd immunity even though a portion of the population hasn’t gotten their initial doses?
Across South Carolina, around 54% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated. Health experts maintain that number needs to be higher to increase the population’s overall resistance to the virus, pushing for 70-80% vaccination. While a considerable portion of the population hasn’t completed their initial vaccination, Richardson and Harmon both stressed the importance of getting a booster.
“The studies seem to support bringing that antibody level back up,” Harmon said. “Kind of like with other vaccinations we’ve done over the years, we know the boosters seem to work.”
Getting the booster is important for individual protection and to decrease the chance of spreading the virus, but getting more people vaccinated in general is vital, Richardson said.
“Boosting or augmenting our immune response is a good thing for the individual patient,” Richardson said. “Is that going to push us toward the goal of quote-unquote herd immunity? I don’t necessarily know that it will, but to me, it’s another step on the road of proof of efficacy and in showing that the vaccines are safe.”
Where can I get a COVID-19 shot?
Find vaccine sites near you at https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov/.
This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 10:38 AM.
