It’s Just Too Soon for Covid Boosters
Vaccines are working, plus the human immune system has some neat tricks up its sleeve.
That’ll do it.
Photographer: Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesPeople are worried about the coronavirus again. So it’s understandable that public health officials are feeling pressure to recommend Covid-19 booster shots soon, before we find out the hard way when the vaccines wear off. Pfizer Inc. contributed by announcing earlier this month that it would soon ask the government to authorize third doses of its two-dose vaccine to provide extra protection.
Public health officials didn’t bite, for excellent medical reasons. Scientists have gathered data showing that people who were infected retain some immunity up to a year later — especially if they get at least one dose of vaccine. Studies of vaccines alone can only follow people for the few months that the shots have existed.