I just had covid. Do I need a booster? When?

When is the best time to get a booster?

There is no set rule about when to schedule a booster shot after you’ve had COVID-19. The optimal time will depend on your individual circumstances, including the severity of your illness, the time since resolution of symptoms, and the risk of re-exposure.

But if you currently have an active infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends waiting at least until you are symptom-free and have met the criteria to end isolation. (That is, if you’ve had a mild infection, it’s been at least five days since your symptoms started, your symptoms are improving, and you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of medication.)

That said, some scientists recommend putting off boosting for longer. Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said it might make sense to wait until you’ve fully recovered or until you can get a negative PCR result, though this isn’t a CDC requirement to come out of isolation and might not happen until a few weeks (or even months) later.

“You don’t have to overload the system,” says Ellebedy. Let your immune system rest after fighting the coronavirus and before asking it to rev up again with the vaccine. This will also allow for a more refined and long-lasting response, she said.

And for some, Ellebedy added, it may be beneficial to wait even longer. If the risk of re-infection is low—for example, if you work remotely, are in generally good health, and can adhere to public health guidance on wearing face coverings and social distancing—it may be logical to wait until natural immunity wanes , which can occur up to three months after infection. Postponing the booster in this way will not only help produce a more robust antibody response, but there could be a newer version of the vaccine that works specifically against the omicron variant by then.

“The vaccine comes from the original strain of the coronavirus, and that actually no longer exists,” explains Ellebedy. “A few months from now, if there is a vaccine based on the omicron variant, why not take it to prepare for whatever comes next?” Pharmaceutical companies have started testing new versions of the Covid booster vaccine, which could be available in the summer.

Of course, deferring reinforcement is not the right option for everyone. If you’re at high risk of reinfection or serious illness—either because of your age, medical conditions, a weakened immune system, or because you live or work in an environment that increases the likelihood of exposure—you may want to boost your immunity with an extra dose of the vaccine as soon as possible, Ellebedy added. Getting a booster dose earlier can also extend protection to vulnerable family members and children who may not yet be vaccinated because of their age.

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