I Am Fully Vaccinated. When Do I Need a Booster?
Today’s Covid-19 shots offer strong protection against disease but will require boosters to keep them working effectively. Here’s what we know.
The rapid development and rollout of effective vaccines have been game changers in the fight against Covid-19, allowing the world to begin to see a pathway out of the pandemic. But these shots don’t offer unlimited protection and may not be as effective against emerging variants. This is where booster shots come in.
With Pfizer Inc. and other drugmakers running trials now to assess how long vaccine protection lasts and when boosters might be needed, Sam Fazeli, a Bloomberg Opinion contributor who covers the pharmaceutical industry for Bloomberg Intelligence, answers questions about what we know now. The conversation has been edited and condensed.
What is a booster shot? Why might we need one?