COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Shots: Updated Guidance for Patients November 2023
Dear Valued Patient,
Our primary care team is a strong advocate for vaccination and was one of the first practices in town to offer the COVID-19 vaccines. But SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has proved a tricky and resilient adversary, as the recent wave of new cases has shown. Even though by now, nearly everyone in the US has immunity from having been infected, vaccinated, or both, Covid still accounts for more hospitalizations in the US than flu and RSV combined:
Dear Valued Patient,
Our primary care team is a strong advocate for vaccination and was one of the first practices in town to offer the COVID-19 vaccines. But SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has proved a tricky and resilient adversary, as the recent wave of new cases has shown. Even though by now, nearly everyone in the US has immunity from having been infected, vaccinated, or both, Covid still accounts for more hospitalizations in the US than flu and RSV combined:
We are hopeful that an entirely new class of COVID-19 vaccines currently in development, built against the more stable parts of the virus and administered through the nose as a spray, will be a game changer. But until that time, we must contend honestly with the fact that booster shots in the arm are now of somewhat limited value, especially for people under the age of 70.
Should I get the new COVID-19 booster?
The effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines has waned significantly since they were first rolled out nearly three years ago. Unfortunately, the updated boosters no longer provide significant protection against infection or illness. A booster shot does however still offer some degree of protection against hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19 among those aged 70 and over, and this is the group that we are currently advising to seek out booster shots.
I want the booster, which one should I get?
There is some evidence that mixing different vaccine formulations (heterologous vaccination) may offer slightly better protection compared to multiple doses of the same vaccine (homologous vaccination). For that reason, we are advising those of our patients who are seeking booster shots to get Novavax. The Novavax booster was newly approved for use in the US and, in addition to being different, has some advantages including fewer reported side effects for most people. Novavax is a more traditional vaccine that uses a subunit protein; it is not an mRNA vaccine.
To find a pharmacy or office administering Novovax, please go to: https://www.vaccines.gov/
If you have any questions, please feel free to schedule a visit with your primary care provider.
