Wisconsin Health Officials Believe COVID Boosters are Crucial to Fighting the Disease

Monday, November 22nd, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

(WBAY) Doctors believe booster shots are a crucial part of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

While many people have already received their COVID-19 booster shoot, doctors are glad there is now new clarification from the F.D.A. and C.D.C. as of Friday November 19 about who is eligible.

Last week, the C.D.C. agreed with the F.D.A. approving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all adults who are 18 and older. This more inclusive criteria makes tens of millions more Americans who are six months past their last Pfizer or Moderna shot eligible for an extra dose before the new year.

It comes as an added layer of protection that people have been wondering about for some time. “I’ve seen many patients and they come into the office and they’re like, ‘should I get the booster? I don’t know. Am I eligible or not?’”

Dr. Michael Landrum, an infectious disease physician at Bellin Health, said. “It’s confusing so this will really help.” The rationale behind getting a booster shot is what health experts call “waning immunity.”

With waning immunity, “it doesn’t mean that the vaccine is not working at all,” Dr. Ashok Rai, president and CEO of Prevea Health, emphasized. “But when it comes to mild infection, we’re starting to see over six months time some waning immunity.

That’s why the conversation around boosters is there.” Dr. Rai also shared that new evidence shows COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness can return to above 90% after you’ve had a booster.

While the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine decreases over time, doctors say if you’re vaccinated, you don’t need to change your behavior based on what month past your second dose you may be in.

However, considering the current number of COVID cases in our area, doctors encouraged us all to be focusing on additional health safety precautions.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.