Despite a recent slowdown in COVID-19 transmissions, cases are again on the rise with the United States now averaging almost 100,000 new infections per day! To make matters worse, the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant has officially landed in the United States. Mix in the arrival of winter weather and holiday gatherings that inevitably cause people to spend more time indoors, and it is very possible that COVID-19 cases will spike even higher.
Growing concern over a COVID-19 explosion has prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to now expand its authorization of boosters of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to all fully vaccinated adults who received their second dose at least 6 months ago.
Boosters—but are they safe?
As you know, studies have shown that immunity from COVID-19 vaccines begins to drop over time— this is obviously why there is a need for boosters in the first place. Now, the most common question people have when it comes to boosters is, are they safe? The short answer is yes. In fact, a recent clinical trial found that boosters are not only safe, but they are more than 95% effective in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 compared to those who only received two-doses of the vaccine. In other words, getting a booster will boost your immunity levels, making it far less likely that you become severely ill in the event you experience a breakthrough case of COVID-19.
Also, you won’t be going at it alone. According to the CDC, more than 32 million Americans have already received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.1
Where can I get my booster?
While boosters are unlikely to end the pandemic, they are likely to help keep you from getting very sick and experiencing severe and life-threatening symptoms. And here’s some more good news: booster vaccine supply is readily available in most communities throughout the country. If you’re looking for a great place to get your third shot, try your local community pharmacy. Pharmacies should have open appointments and pharmacists are able, and more than happy, to administer your COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
Need help locating your closest community pharmacy? Just check out our directory!
- CNN Health, CDC recommends Covid-19 boosters for all adults
