Why some shots, like the COVID-19 vaccine, need boosters

[Fox 9 News, August 18, 2021] Health officials are directing people to receive a COVID-19 booster shot amid signs the vaccine’s effectiveness may wear off over time, which is not uncommon among certain vaccines.

One of the reasons doctors are recommending a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine is because it’s power to fight against infection appears to be waning.

Health officials are directing people to receive a COVID-19 booster shot amid signs the vaccine’s effectiveness may wear off over time, which is not uncommon among certain vaccines.

"But they haven’t lost their power against the things we care about the most: death and serious illness," said Dr. Frank Rhame, an epidemiologist with Allina Health.

Dr. Rhame says that’s an important distinction. Data shows there are far fewer deaths and hospitalizations among those vaccinated against the virus compared to the unvaccinated.