# Are COVID boosters annual now? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 10, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469 "2023-04-10T19:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/1 "2023-04-10T19:55:20Z")
In the past, the general thinking was that you needed to get a booster every 6 months or so, but now there seems to be a trend toward annual boosters along with the flu shot. But don’t COVID boosters lose a large percentage of their effectiveness over the course of a year? What is the “Straight Dope” on this? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/2 "2023-04-10T20:12:30Z")
The CDC has [not offered any guidence](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?s_cid=11738:%2Bcovid%20%2Bbooster%20%2Bshot%20%2Brecommendations:sem.b:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22) for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosters or beyond the ‘updated’ BA.4 and BA.5 specific vaccines that were made available in September 2022. There is no schedule for annual or seasonal vaccination, and in general you are not eligible to receive any further vaccines unless your personal physician recommends it based upon potential risk factors. By and large, the government, like most of the population, has decided that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is over, is actively dismantling federally funded surveillance programs, and appears to be making little effort to prepare for either the emergence of a more virulent variant or another infectious pathogen with potential to become the next global pandemic. So it goes. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/3 "2023-04-10T20:20:43Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > So it goes. Well, here we are, Stranger & DaveRaver, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why. 😁 Anyway, @Stranger_On_A_Train summed it up pretty well. However, the best evidence available indicates that someone who’s up to date with the vaccines AND has had COVID is probably pretty safe for up to a year since they had their last vacccine/case of COVID. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/4 "2023-04-10T20:21:44Z")
Last fall, there was a White House briefing where Anthony Fauci said: > [@](#): > > “In the absence of a dramatically different variants, we likely are moving towards a path with a vaccination cadence similar to that of the annual influenza vaccine, with annual updated Covid-19 shots matched to the currently circulating strains for most of the population,” But, as @Stranger_On_A_Train notes, there doesn’t seem to be any official guidance in that direction that’s been given since then, and I’m not sure that it’s clear that the vaccine manufacturers are working toward that “annual booster” goal. > **[Covid vaccines will likely become annual like flu shots, White House...](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-vaccines-likely-annual-like-flu-shots-rcna46456)** > > Dr. Anthony Fauci said he anticipates a schedule "similar to that of the annual influenza vaccine, with annual updated Covid-19 shots matched to the currently circulating strains." ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/5 "2023-04-10T20:31:23Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Well, here we are, Stranger & DaveRaver, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why. 😁 “And even if the wars didn’t keep coming like glaciers, there would still be plain old death.” Frankly, these days I’m feeling more like Ike, Mike, and Mustard. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/6 "2023-04-10T20:33:01Z")
As with so many things regarding this subject from day one: We are not completely sure. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/7 "2023-04-11T00:07:19Z")
NPR recently reported that the FDA is going to allow some adults (over 65 or immunocompromised) [get a second bivalent booster.](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/29/1166629853/the-fda-may-soon-authorize-a-spring-round-of-covid-19-boosters-for-some-people) There’s still debate about whether this is a good idea, given that there’s a newer variant, but the article says the feeling is that’s it’s better to use the boosters than to just let them expire. There’s also mention that the FDA was planning to concentrate on an annual booster program for the fall. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/8 "2023-04-11T00:38:56Z")
With my last booster, my biochemist sister recommended trying to time it for a month or so before the expected peak season, so that’s what I’m doing. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/9 "2023-04-11T00:39:39Z")
Paywalled WaPo article looks interesting: > **[White House launching $5 billion program to speed coronavirus vaccines](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/04/10/operation-warp-speed-successor-project-nextgen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_politics)** > > "Project Next Gen" would succeed "Operation Warp Speed" with a mission to develop next-generation vaccines and therapies. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/10 "2023-04-11T00:43:47Z")
Past warp speed to next gen, huh? Can we skip past the first couple of boring seasons and get straight to the Borg? ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/11 "2023-04-11T05:55:57Z")
After the last few years, be careful what you wish for. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/12 "2023-04-11T06:05:15Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Can we skip past the first couple of boring seasons and get straight to the Borg? Personally, I’m hoping for the movie where Biden has to face down a conspiracy, is put on trial and convicted of creating the virus, escape from a mining colony along with Dr. Fauci, and stop an assassination, all the while everybody is appropriating Shakespeare and Arthur Conan Doyle for some reason. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/13 "2023-04-11T06:14:18Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > all the while everybody is appropriating Shakespeare and Arthur Conan Doyle for some reason. “You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon.” ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/14 "2023-04-11T06:17:51Z")
It would explain _Titus Andronicus_ at least, although _The Merchant of Venice_ would seem to have a much more…Ferengi interpretation. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/15 "2023-04-11T20:47:00Z")
I just today sought a covid booster after getting the last one in early October, and was refused by the pharmacist, even after I pointed out my cancer diagnosis. I’m 60. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/16 "2023-04-11T20:50:15Z")
@squeegee Frankly, best evidence and current recommendations do seem to side with the pharmacist. I’d tell a patient of mine in your situation to wait, also. And unless/until specific recommendations come out recommending earlier revaxxing, I’d tell the patient to plan on looking into getting boosted in early October of this year. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/17 "2023-04-11T20:51:29Z")
Cool, thanks for the informed commentary. I was surprised to be turned away, but not all that worried after five covid vaccinations. I have been and am going to travel overseas, so I thought more caution a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/18 "2023-04-18T20:14:20Z")
[https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/19 "2023-04-18T20:41:56Z")
This should be a gift link > **[White House launching $5 billion program to speed coronavirus vaccines](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/04/10/operation-warp-speed-successor-project-nextgen/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6Ijc4NTU0ODAiLCJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjgxNzkwNDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjgzMDg2Mzk5LCJpYXQiOjE2ODE3OTA0MDAsImp0aSI6IjFmZWQzMmI4LTM5YTItNGQ3Ny04MmY2LTc4ZWNhN2M1NjcyYiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9oZWFsdGgvMjAyMy8wNC8xMC9vcGVyYXRpb24td2FycC1zcGVlZC1zdWNjZXNzb3ItcHJvamVjdC1uZXh0Z2VuLyJ9.8GZvL-CBcXLo0CF9C9P0zy_2KyC6H_uTSAXE_0pKARw&itid=gfta)** > > "Project Next Gen" would succeed "Operation Warp Speed" with a mission to develop next-generation vaccines and therapies. The gist is that the feds will provide funding and encouragement, similar to operation warp speed, for the following > ha and others said the new effort will focus on three goals: [creating long-lasting monoclonal antibodies](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/21/monoclonal-antibodies-covid-variants/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8), after an evolving virus rendered many current treatments ineffective; accelerating development of vaccines that produce mucosal immunity, which is thought to reduce transmission and infection risks; and speeding efforts to develop [pan-coronavirus vaccines](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/02/14/universal-covid-vaccine/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8) to guard against new SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as other coronaviruses. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469/20 "2023-04-28T17:06:07Z")
We’re getting our second bivalent booster tomorrow at 10 a.m. Both of us are over 65 and we’re looking at some possible air travel in a couple of months. I made the appointments online at CVS, and nowhere did it refuse us, so I’m hoping the newest FDA recommendations are in effect. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-covid-boosters-annual-now/982469.md?page=2)