Since the beginning of the pandemic and the COVID-19 outbreak, there have been 3 vaccines released over time and distributed to people in varying countries around the world.. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson Johnson. According to the CDC, there are now some people who are now eligible for covid booster shots. 

A common question posed was, “What exactly is the covid booster shot?” According to CNBC, the covid booster shot is recommended for those with low immunity and increases the antibodies against COVID-19 in somebody’s immune system. It is not a new vaccine or a new shot, but one of the shots of the covid vaccines. People are allowed to “mix and match”. For example, if somebody got the Pfizer vaccine they could get the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson Johnson booster. According to the LA Times, people are recommended to get the Moderna booster, despite the vaccine they got. Studies show the Moderna booster made antibodies multiply by 76 if you got the J&J vaccine. People who got the Pfizer vaccine and got a Moderna booster had antibody levels multiplied by 32, and those who got the Moderna vaccine and got a Moderna booster shot had antibody levels multiplied by 10. 

Those who got the J&J vaccine and got a Pfizer booster had antibody levels multiplied by 35, while those who got the J&J booster quadrupled antibody levels. Those who got Pfizer and got a Pfizer booster saw antibody levels multiply by 20 and those who got the J&J booster saw antibody levels multiply by 13. Those who got the Moderna vaccine and got the Pfizer booster saw antibody levels multiply by 11, and those who got the J&J booster saw antibody levels multiply by 6. 

Antibodies are small proteins in the blood that attach to viruses, bacterias, and diseases and bind to a virus, interfering with its ability to infect cells. The COVID-19 vaccines cause one’s immune system to create antibodies against the virus. It’s important to have those antibodies in your system so they can fight off infectious viruses and diseases. 

Not as many people are eligible for the COVID-19 booster shot as the vaccine. Those who are eligible have to either be 65+ years, are 18+ and are a first responder, part of education staff, food workers, manufacturing workers, corrections workers, U.S. postal service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store, workers. You are also eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if you are 18+ and live in high-risk settings or if you have underlying health conditions, such as being immunocompromised. If you received the Moderna vaccine, you are eligible to get the booster shot at least 6 months after your second dose. The same also applies to the Pfizer vaccine. However, if you got the Johnson johnson vaccine, you are eligible for the booster shot at least 2 months after your initial second dose.

Getting a booster shot from either of the three vaccines is highly recommended, especially if you are exposed to COVID-19 or if you have health conditions lowering your immunity. Getting the vaccine is first priority but is eligible for a booster shot, it would be beneficial to get to increase your protection against the virus.