Why You Need a COVID-19 Booster   

From an interview with
Dr. Amid Hamidi
McLeod Medical Director, Emergency Department

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be waning, McLeod Emergency Physician Dr. Amid Hamidi emphasizes that it is still important to get that third shot booster of your COVID-19 vaccine.

Here is a summary of Dr. Hamidi’s remarks:
There are plenty of reasons to get the COVID-19 booster. CDC recommends and the FDA has approved going ahead with the third shot of the same brand that you received. If you are (1) immunocompromised for a number of reasons or (2) if you are 50 or older just, your body might take a little bit longer to develop that antibody and be fully immunized to COVID.
If you received two shots, go ahead and take a third vaccination 28 days after the second one. Formerly, you had to wait six months until you received the third shot. However, that guideline has been updated.  You can take the booster as soon as 28 days after your second shot. It is much better to have the third shot than to wait until you catch COVID.
 
The booster shot doesn’t have to be the same brand as the original one. If  you got two shots of Moderna vaccine but all you have available is a Pfizer, take that and do not delay.
 
On another issue, it is flu season, so the flu shot is available and, in some places, is mandatory.  Now, you are trying to fit in your COVID shot or COVID booster. The CDC says it is safe to take the flu shot and the COVID shot on the same day.

Learn more about COVID-19.