New research from Denmark and the UK this week demonstrates that mRNA boosters — like Moderna’s and Pfizer’s — offer significant protection against the new omicron variant of COVID-19. However, data from the UK on Friday indicates that booster protection starts to decrease notably after 10 weeks.
In a technical briefing released Friday, the UK Health Security Agency announced that the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines all protect against omicron less than they did against delta, and that protection from boosters wanes in time. Booster effectiveness generally decreased from 60% to 70% protection at two to four weeks after the shot, down to 35% to 45% at 10 weeks, depending on the combination of vaccines administered.
The UK report also adds weight to the hope that omicron infections are less severe than with the delta variant, noting that the risk of hospitalization from omicron is about three-fifths of that from delta.
In a report published Wednesday on the preprint site Medrxiv, scientists at Copenhagen’s Statens Serum Institut examined health records of 3 million Danes taken between Nov. 20 and Dec. 12. They found vaccine effectiveness among seniors 60 and older who had received a booster dose 14 to 44 days earlier averaged 54.6%, according to Reuters. (That’s comparable to the rate found shortly after receiving one shot of the Pfizer vaccine, which quickly wanes.)
Their research hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet, but it follows preliminary data from Monday indicating Moderna’s half-dose COVID booster shot can raise antibody levels against omicron 37 fold. Moderna President Stephen Hoge said during a conference call that the lab results were «reassuring» and put booster recipients «comfortably» above the level of a breakthrough risk.
Moderna also indicated a potential double dose of the booster, 100 micrograms versus 50 micrograms, would increase omicron-neutralizing antibodies «approximately 83-fold higher than pre-boost levels.»
Omicron has quickly become the dominant strain in the US, accounting for nearly 75% of new COVID-19 cases. While it appears able to evade some of the defenses offered by two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, boosters offer some protection against infection and are highly effective in preventing serious illness.
«The good news is when you boost someone, [protection] goes right back up,» Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said on CNN last week.
On Dec. 16, a CDC advisory committee recommended Moderna’s Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTECH’s Comirnaty, both mRNA vaccines, over Johnson & Johnson’s one-jab carrier, or virus vector, vaccine.
According to Our World in Data, the US averaged about 840,000 booster shots per day for the week ending Dec. 17, and more than 64 million Americans have been boosted since Aug. 13. The increased focus on boosters comes as the omicron variant forces the CDC, health officials and organizations to reconsider what it means to be «fully vaccinated.» President Biden recently announced new plans — including «free» at-home COVID-19 test kits and stricter rules for international travelers — to protect Americans from the surging omicron variant.
The CDC urges anyone 18 years or older to get a booster six months after their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer (and anyone 16 or 17 years old to get a booster six months after their second dose of Pfizer).
So far, the vaccines have proven highly effective in preventing serious reactions and death from COVID-19. People who are unvaccinated are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized if infected. With the federal vaccine mandate expected to start next month, the Biden administration expects even more Americans to get the jab. The government has also ordered 13 million courses of antiviral drugs in anticipation of higher caseloads this winter.
Here’s what you need to know about the Moderna booster, including doses, side effects and how to get a free ride. to your vaccination appointment. For even more details, here’s the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids, how you can soon get a free COVID-19 test kit and what to know about breakthrough infections.
How effective is the Moderna booster against the omicron variant?
On Monday, Moderna’s Hoge said early lab research shows the pharmaceutical company’s COVID-19vaccine booster provides «good protection against the omicronvariant» by raising antibody levels approximately 37 fold. Forcomparison, Pfizer said earlier this month its booster raises antibody levels 25 fold,creating «robust protection» and offering «a sufficientlevel of protection» against omicron.
Studies of omicron variant infections in the US appear to support the concern about weakened protection for those who are fully vaccinated with two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines or one of Johnson & Johnson’s, but did not get a booster yet. Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, CDC director, said Dec. 10 that80% of the first confirmed US cases with the mutated strain had been in patients who were fullyvaccinated.
Is Moderna working on additional COVID vaccine boosters?
On Monday, Moderna president Stephen Hoge said the company’s current 50-microgram COVID booster gives «quite respectable» protection. The company is continuing to study an omicron-specific vaccine and a multivalent one that could protect against other variants, including the alpha and delta strains, in case either is needed.
The company said it is also studying a 100-microgram version of its current vaccine booster, which appears to raise antibody protection 83 fold. Hoge said Moderna could have new versions of its vaccine ready early in 2022 but is not planning to ask the CDC and FDA to amend its booster authorization for the 100-microgram trial version of its booster.
Will we need an annual COVID booster shot?
With vaccines appearing to offer waning protectionand a continuing evolution of COVID variants, Hoge said we will most likely needseasonal boosters, much like we do with the flu, at least toprotect those at high risk of infection. The new research from UKHSA strongly indicates reduced protection from vaccine boosters after 10 weeks.
The CDC updated its guidanceto indicate that, starting in 2022, some immunocompromised people will be able to get afourth COVID-19 booster shot.
When is it time to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?
If you got Moderna or Pfizer jab, you’re eligible for a booster six months after the date of the second shot listed on yourvaccination card. Two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the time for a booster (more below).
The CDC and other health authorities are now urging people to get boosters as soon as they’re eligible, to keep the immune response againstomicron, delta and other coronavirus variants of concern as strong as possible.
On Dec. 2, President Biden outlined a plan forMedicare to contact the 64 million people it serves and for AARP toreach out to its 38 million members about getting a booster shot. Pharmacies like Walgreens,CVS and Rite Aid are contacting customers who got a vaccine attheir stores when it’s time to schedule a booster.
Should people who are pregnant get a booster shot?
The COVID-19 booster recommendations apply to all people 18 years and older, including those who are pregnant. The CDC urges pregnant people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a booster is half a full vaccine dose.
«People who are pregnant or recently pregnant are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant,» the CDC says on its website.
While there is no evidence that getting vaccinated decreases fertility in women or men, a recent study also linked COVID-19 infection in pregnant people to a higher risk of stillbirth.
Is the Moderna booster shot a third dose of the vaccine?
Booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines are currently half doses of the same vaccine used in the first two full shots. The goal is to top up the formula and reinforce the body’s immune response against the virus and its variants. While the first two shots of the Moderna vaccine were each 100 micrograms, the booster is a 50-microgram dose.
Moderna is also working on a combination shot that contains this year’s flu vaccine and its COVID-19 booster vaccine, but that’s not available right now.
How do I know which pharmacies have Moderna booster shots available?
Boosters are available at roughly 80,000 locations across the US, including over 40,000 pharmacies. Some 90% of Americans have a vaccine site within five miles of where they live.
A free service backed by the CDC sends you information on vaccine sites when you text your ZIP code to this number: 438829. The response will show you COVID-19 vaccine locations in your area, along with the brands they carry for certain age groups, for instance, Moderna 18+. This can save you from having to call around, or show up to an appointment to find that your booster of choice isn’t available. The text message also offers a shortcut to make your appointment right from your phone screen.
In addition, you can check Vaccines.gov to see which vaccines are available where, or call 800-232-0233 for additional vaccine information.
How can I get a free ride to get my booster shot?
Lyft and Uber are offering free rides for some people who need them. An easy way to access those links for more information is through the text feature above. You can also go to Lyft.com/vax or call Uber at 855-921-0033.
Who can get a Moderna booster shot right now?
On Nov. 19, all US adults 18 and older became eligible to receive COVID-19 booster shots if it’s been at least six months since they’ve received a second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible for a booster dose after two months. Adults are encouraged to get whatever booster dose is available, even if that means mixing and matching vaccine boosters (more below).
What are the side effects of Moderna’s booster?
Moderna says possible side effects for its booster shot are similar to those from the two primary doses, and include pain or swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, muscle pain, headache, fever, chills and nausea.
The good news is, according to the CDC, those who got the Moderna booster dose reported far fewer reactions than they did after the second dose of the vaccine.
Is it safe to mix and match vaccine and booster brands?
Yes. The US Food and Drug Administration has authorized mixing COVID-19 boosters, which in the US means Moderna and Pfizer. Any adult eligible for a booster can get any of the available brands of coronavirus vaccines. If you initially received Johnson & Johnson and it’s been two months or longer since you received the initial dose, you’ll be able to get the Moderna or Pfizer booster. If you received Moderna or Pfizer for your first two shots, you could pick any authorized vaccine available to you, if you qualify and it’s been six months or longer since your second shot.
In its study, the CDC found 95% of those who got Moderna for the first round of vaccine shots chose Moderna for the booster dose.
Is the Moderna COVID-19 booster shot still free?
All booster shots will be free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. However, depending on where you get your booster shot — for example, at a local pharmacy — you may be asked to provide your insurance card information, including your name, date of birth and membership number. But ou will not be charged for your COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.
What does the Moderna booster shot do?
As the vaccine’s effectiveness decreases over time, a COVID-19 booster shot — whether from Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson — recharges your body’s immune response and guards against a breakthrough infection.
Recent studies of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines show that their effectiveness can begin to wane after six months. Moderna said early data suggests that those who received the Moderna vaccine in 2020 are showing a higher rate of breakthrough COVID-19 infections than those vaccinated this year, suggesting the need for a booster to maintain high levels of protection.
For more on coronavirus treatments and vaccines, here’s what we know about monoclonal antibody treatments, the new federal vaccine mandates and why some people may not want the shot.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
