Should I get the updated COVID-19 vaccine?

Jan 2, 2024

graphic of the updated COVID-19 vaccine As new COVID-19 variants emerge and cases of infection start to increase, people often ask if they should get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

“I get asked this question almost every day,” said Dr. Thomas Boyce, pediatric infectious disease doctor and researcher with Marshfield Children’s. “Typically the answer is yes, you should get the updated COVID vaccine.”

While everyone should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, some people may need additional doses for best protection. You should talk to your doctor for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations based on your health history, or you can check out the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention below.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

Research continues to show that COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, even as new variants emerge. However, research also shows the protection the vaccines provide wane as time progresses since the last vaccine.

Most current circulating COVID-19 variants can cause you to get sick even if you received the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. The variants can get around the immune response triggered by the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. Updated vaccines can increase the neutralizing antibodies needed to protect you from these new variants.

People who are immunocompromised

The elderly and people who are immunocompromised are more likely to be hospitalized with severe COVID-19. For this reason, Dr. Boyce said it is very important these individuals stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines.

“People who are immunocompromised may require more than one dose of the current updated COVID-19 vaccine, depending on how many COVID-19 vaccine doses they have received in the past,” said Dr. Boyce.

Immunocompromised individuals include the following categories:

Currently receiving cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
History of a solid organ transplant and taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
History of a stem cell transplant within the last two years or taking medicine to suppress the immune system after a stem cell transplant.
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency affecting the cellular immune system.
Advanced or untreated HIV infection.
Current treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress the immune system.

“For some immunosuppressed patients, their immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine may be reduced. However, it will likely offer them some protection. In addition, their family members should all be vaccinated to protect the high-risk person from becoming infected,” said Dr. Boyce.

You should talk to your primary or specialty care provider about your medical condition, any questions you have and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for your health.

For questions about the updated COVID-19 vaccine, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.

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25 responses to “Should I get the updated COVID-19 vaccine?”

William Willcox

Dec 22, 2022

Received Moderna 2 shots series, then Moderna booster, then caught covid. How many more boosters do you suggest?

Reply
1. Jordan Simonson
  
  Dec 28, 2022
  
  Hi William, Here are the latest recommendations from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html . If you have further questions, please ask your provider for the proper booster vaccination for your situation. -Thanks, Jordan
  
  Reply
Marge Noel

Dec 1, 2022

I am a 78 year old healthy female and have had four Pfizer shots so far. Does it matter which provider I get next, either Pfizer or Moderna?

Reply
1. Jordan Simonson
  
  Dec 2, 2022
  
  Hi Marge, Here are the latest recommendations from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html . If you have further questions, please ask your provider for the proper booster vaccination for your situation. -Thanks, Jordan
  
  Reply
Heidi Kozlowski

Jan 20, 2022

If you received the monoclonal infusion for Covid is there a waiting period before you can get the booster? (Besides the 5-month post vaccination).

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Jan 20, 2022
  
  Hello Heidi,
  
  If you received monoclonal infusion, you should wait 90 days at least to get a COVID-19 booster shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  
  Thanks,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Karen M Silverstein

Jan 20, 2022

I had my second shot of Moderna last March. I'm 82 and obese. I had a very strong reaction with a fever of 102 for 3 days and then extreme fatigue for 4 more days. I finally talked myself into the booster last Monday. It was the Pfizer booster and once again I'm dealing with a fever of 101.5 and fatigue and aching now on Thursday. Why am i having such a strong, terrible reaction?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Jan 20, 2022
  
  Hi Karen,
  
  Every person is different, so there may be many different reasons why you are having these side effects from the vaccine. However, side effects after vaccination are a normal sign that your body is building protection. If the side effects are worrying or do not seem to be going away after a few days, you should contact your doctor or health care provider.
  
  Here is a helpful resource from the CDC that provides ways to relieve side effects: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html.
  
  If you haven’t already, we also encourage you to enroll in v-safe: https://vsafe.cdc.gov/en/. V-safe allows you to share how you feel after COVID-19 vaccination using your smartphone. V-safe uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after COVID-19 vaccination.
  
  Thank you,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Dawn B

Nov 11, 2021

If someone received the J & J vaccine in April, is it recommended to stay with the same vaccine or will the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine be more effective?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Nov 11, 2021
  
  Hi Dawn,
  
  You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines if you received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago. There is no recommendation at this time saying which vaccine is more or less effective for the booster dose.
  
  Thank you,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Aileen tauchen

Nov 11, 2021

I over 65, received my Moderna vaccines in February and March, had Covid in early October, and had about 1/3 of the monoclonal antibody treatment before I had an adverse reaction, after which the treatment was stopped. How long do i have to wait before getting the Moderna booster?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Nov 11, 2021
  
  Hi Aileen,
  
  Due to the complicated nature of your question, we strongly recommend you talk to your provider. If you have a Marshfield Clinic Health System, you can find contact information for him or her by clicking here: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/doctors.
  
  Thank you,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Midge Anderson

Nov 1, 2021

Do you have Moderna boosters? I see in the news that it was approved.

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Nov 2, 2021
  
  Hi Midge,
  
  At this time, we are working on updating internal systems to make sure patients are provided booster doses according to CDC recommendations. We anticipate starting to schedule Moderna boosters soon. We appreciate your patience while we get this right.
  
  If you are interested in receiving the Moderna booster, please complete this form to be called and emailed once we begin scheduling these booster appointments: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/MedicalSpecialties/Pages/COVID19-Vaccine-Survey.aspx.
  
  Thank you,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Henrietta Garski

Oct 10, 2021

Do you have to get the third vaccination the same place as the others were
given

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Oct 11, 2021
  
  Hi Henrietta,
  
  No, you do not need to get your third vaccination at the same location.
  
  Thanks,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Sandy Rosenberger

Oct 10, 2021

I received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine last March. Will I be contacted to set up an appointment for the booster shot or do I need to do that?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Oct 11, 2021
  
  Hi Sandy,
  
  We are not able to contact patients that are due for their booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine, so you will need to do that. We apologize for this inconvenience.
  
  Thanks,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Pat Sand

Oct 7, 2021

I am at 80 years old with no underlying health conditions nor am I immuno suppressed. I received both Moderna shots in February/March. I will be interested to get the information as to when I can receive my booster shot of Moderna

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Oct 7, 2021
  
  Hello Pat,
  
  The FDA will begin discussions about Moderna booster doses on Oct. 14. From there, it will depend on what the recommendations are from the FDA and CDC to determine who is eligible. Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
  
  Reply
Jim Alfonso

Oct 7, 2021

jimalfonso400@gmail.com

Reply
Carol Ceraso

Aug 26, 2021

Very interesting article.

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Aug 26, 2021
  
  Hi Carol,
  
  We're glad to hear you found the article helpful. Thank you for sharing.
  
  Hope you have a great day,
  Jake
  
  Reply
Barbara Zima

Aug 26, 2021

I am taking prednisone for Polymyalgia rheumatic and I also have Hashimoto Thyroiditis and want to know if I can get a booster immunization ?

Reply
1. Jacob Zipperer
  
  Aug 26, 2021
  
  Thank you for your question Barbara.
  
  We are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. Please ask your primary or specialty care provider if you should receive the additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider knows your health history and will be able to give the best recommendations.
  
  Thanks,
  Jake
  
  Reply