Effectiveness of COVID-19 Booster Shots

As the spread of the novel coronavirus and its developments continue, the question arises about the effectiveness of booster doses of vaccines in enhancing immunity and reducing health risks associated with the virus. Receiving a booster dose can play a pivotal role in protecting individuals from severe symptoms and death, even for those who have been previously vaccinated or infected.

Current Vaccine Effectiveness

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that mRNA vaccines for the 2024-2025 season reduced the risk of emergency department visits by 29%, hospitalizations by 39%, and death by 64%. The study included nearly 300,000 participants in the United States, with 35% receiving the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) vaccine and 64% receiving the Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine.

These results confirm the effectiveness of vaccines across all age groups, including those with chronic conditions. It has been observed that vaccines provide special protection against severe diseases, making them an important tool in combating the virus.

Changes in Vaccine Effectiveness

Although the effectiveness of vaccines against symptomatic diseases has decreased since 2019, this is expected due to the increased accumulated immunity among individuals resulting from previous exposure to the virus or vaccination. Dr. Stanley Perlman, a coronavirus researcher and professor at the University of Iowa, points out that this decline is natural over time as community immunity increases.

Dr. Nisha Viswanathan from the University of California, Los Angeles, also emphasizes that changes in immune response were expected and are considered part of the evolution of the virus and human immunity.

The Need for Booster Doses for Different Groups

Data suggests that booster doses are not only important for older individuals or those with chronic diseases but also prove effective among younger and healthier individuals. The study included a sufficient number of women and young people, making the results more balanced and comprehensive.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends this season’s vaccines for people over 65 years old or those at high health risk, while the decision to vaccinate healthy individuals over six months old is left to shared clinical consultation.

Expectations for the Current Season

Although actual data for the 2025-2026 season is still limited, scientists expect the vaccine effectiveness to be similar to the 2024-2025 season. This is because the currently spreading virus originates from the same ancestral virus, suggesting that vaccines will provide the same level of protection.

Research indicates that the new vaccines target the LP.8.1 version of the virus, with a significant increase in neutralizing antibody levels, supporting immune protection against severe diseases.

Conclusion

The importance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses remains clear in light of recent studies confirming their effectiveness in reducing health risks associated with the virus. With the ongoing challenges posed by the virus and its developments, it becomes essential to enhance community immunity through receiving booster doses, especially for those most at risk. Making an informed decision about vaccination can have a significant impact on protecting individuals and the community as a whole.