# With 7 vaccine shots and a Covid infection years ago, do I still need boosters or am I done for good? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [August 26, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583 "2026-08-26T20:37:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/21 "2026-09-11T05:22:59Z")
Was it the Comirnaty shot? I got that on Monday, combined with flu shot, and yes, I am now symptom free. Last year, I was still hurting into the 4th day. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/22 "2026-09-11T12:52:20Z")
We got ours last Sunday–flu and covid. I wish I hadn’t looked at the needle. When they say intra-muscular they mean it. That sucker went in at least an inch! Only sore for a day, however. Still haven’t had covid and I’m ok with that. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/23 "2026-09-11T13:07:48Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > My preexisting condition is knowing when RFK Jr is full of shit and gaslighting me. Agreed. I never base my health decisions on the say-so of some political crony who has a single brain cell. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/24 "2026-09-11T13:09:52Z")
My wife has Covid right now, and I’m still testing negative with no symptoms. I’m going to wait a week or so to make sure I’m in the clear before scheduling my Covid and Flu vaccines. She’s going to wait a bit longer before scheduling here, but we need to read up on what the current guidelines are for vaccines after infection. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/25 "2026-09-11T13:31:11Z")
You should wait at least 3 months, and I’d wait 6 months, after an infection to get revaccinated. Not because it’s dangerous, but because it’s wasteful. You get very little additional boost from getting the shot shortly after infection. Unless she is on a 6 month schedule (over 65 or high risk) it probably makes sense to just skip the cocoa shot this year. She should still get the flu vaccine after she recovers. There’s a waiting period between getting vaccines (either get them at the same time, or wait n weeks) but i forget what it is. I’m pretty sure it’s in the 4-6 week range. I think the pharmacy will ask if you’ve had any other vaccines within n weeks before scheduling, though. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/26 "2026-09-11T13:34:06Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I got the newest one today. I had read that side effects were lessened with this new formulation, and I am happy to report that so far, this seems to be true! > [@Velocity](#): > > Was it the Comirnaty shot? I got that on Monday, combined with flu shot, and yes, I am now symptom free. Thanks! That’s great news, since i really need to get the covid vaccine (because my husband is immune compromised) and I’ve had bad side effects in the past, too. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/27 "2026-09-11T13:39:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Even so, I don’t feel comfortable lying on a medical form. I have declined to lie on a medical form in the past, but the risk factors are so broad and so common that it’s estimated they include 60% of Americans. Look them up before you reject it. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/28 "2026-09-11T14:51:22Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Thanks! That’s great news, since i really need to get the covid vaccine (because my husband is immune compromised) and I’ve had bad side effects in the past, too. Welllll… I spoke too soon. There was no mention of a “Comirnaty” shot. I was told I had a choice between Moderna and Pfizer, and like every other time except one, I chose Pfizer. The tech did mention the smaller dose of serum, so I guess that was new. Side effects are lessened, but not gone. At 2:00 a.m. right on time, I got the full complement that I previously laundry-listed. Not as severe, but still not fun. They do seem to be passing quickly, and I plan to employ the remedy in a moment that gives me the most relief: A big cup of hot coffee. I have no idea why that helps me, but it does seem to. Good luck with it, @puzzlegal. I hope it goes easier for you. I know you’ll get it for your husband’s sake no matter what. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/29 "2026-09-11T16:12:52Z")
Hope you feel better soon. Yes, my annual physical is Monday, and I’ll talk about the optimal timing for my situation, but I’ll definitely get flu and covid vaccines this fall. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/30 "2026-09-11T16:51:14Z")
Glad this thread got started…it just prompted me to schedule my next Covid booster for next week. This will be my ninth Covid vaccine shot. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > The pharmacy tech who administered the injection today mentioned that the Pfizer formulation was for only 3 mil, while the Moderna formulation is for 5 mil. Maybe that’s part of the reason this shot is so much better on the side effects, I don’t know. I always get Pfizer, and this is the first time it hasn’t brought any side effects to speak of. My first three shots back in 2021 were all Pfizer, but ever since I have gotten Moderna because it is associated with a stronger immune response and lower mortality, probably because of the higher dose. I had a pretty bad reaction to my first Moderna shot (likely a very strong immune response), but have not had any side effects for the past three years now. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/31 "2026-09-16T06:08:21Z")
I got mine earlier today (actually yesterday now). The Moderna shot they had at CVS was the new lower-dose mNexspike (instead of the original Spikevax). Since it was brand-new, I decided to get the Pfizer one instead this year. Only side effect so far is a sore arm. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583/32 "2026-09-16T20:13:09Z")
I got the Pfizer yesterday because Pfizer was what they had and I had to go into CVS anyway for unrelated reasons. I felt kind of crappy this morning but I’m about 90% back at the moment [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-7-vaccine-shots-and-a-covid-infection-years-ago-do-i-still-need-boosters-or-am-i-done-for-good/1032583.md?page=1)