September 18, 2024—Getting the new COVID booster is a good idea, according to vaccinologist Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In a September 13 Q&A on NPR’s Science Friday, Corbett-Helaire, assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases—who helped develop the mRNA-based COVID vaccines—answered listeners’ questions about the updated booster.
For instance, in response to a listener who wondered whether it’s worthwhile to get the updated vaccine, Corbett-Helaire noted, “There’s always a chance that COVID-19 will cause more than the sniffles, or that you could end up in the emergency room—especially for older people. Why take that chance when you have the option to go to your local CVS and, in many cases, get a free vaccine that has been proven to decrease your chances of more severe disease?”
Commenting on the pros and cons of available vaccine options—including Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax—Corbett-Helaire said that “any vaccine is a good one.”
In response to a question on whether it’s possible to overwhelm or confuse our immune system with too many vaccine doses, she said that “the immune system is great at not being overwhelmed.” Six to 12 months between vaccines is “enough time to let your immune cells settle down and allow yourself to be boosted again,” she added.
She also spoke about concerns faced by seniors, children, those who’ve recently been infected with COVID-19, and the uninsured; shared when to get vaccinated to be most protected during the holiday season; and offered advice on checking at-home tests’ expiration dates.
Corbett-Helaire also addressed those who worry about incurring harm from a COVID-19 vaccine. “Overarchingly, these vaccines continue to save lives, and have saved millions of lives. They continue to keep people from getting really severely ill with COVID-19,” she said. “Do not be ashamed if you fear a vaccine injury. But I’d say to lean into that fear in a way that allows you to gather information. Ask questions of trusted sources, ask your doctor and ask your friends about their experiences with the vaccines as well.”
Listen to and read more from Science Friday: Your Questions About The Updated COVID Vaccines, Answered
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