New variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to spread worldwide. Even fully-vaccinated individuals are getting infected, prompting health agencies to recommend getting a booster shot for added protection.
But what if the person unknowingly has COVID-19 right before or right after getting the booster shot? Is it safe for people get a booster shot when they already have the infection? How severe will the infection be, and will the booster shot still be effective?
A woman receives a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at Babington Hospital in Belper on December 16, 2021 as the UK steps up the country's booster drive to fight a "tidal wave" of Omicron.
Getting a Booster Shot When Infected With COVID-19
A team from MedPage Today talked to some infectious disease ad microbiology experts to discuss what happens when someone who is likely infected with COVID-19 gets a booster shot.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, said that getting infected either right before or after getting a booster shot may worsen symptoms, but it is not likely to interfere with the booster's effects.
According to a study, titled "Odds of Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2 Following Receipt of 3 vs 2 Doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine" published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the chances of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 is high six days after getting a booster shot almost similar to those without booster shot.
Usually, vaccination site staff would ask the person whether they are feeling some symptoms of COVID-19 to protect everyone at the site. But infectious disease expert Dr. Simone Wildes from South Shore Health said it makes more sense to wait until antibodies from the infection fall before getting a booster shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially recommend waiting for 90 days after infection before getting vaccinated. But an updated guideline from the health agency said that those who have symptoms should wait until they have recovered and when they met the criteria for discontinuing isolation.
Is It Okay to Get a Booster Shot While Sick With a Common Cold?
During an interview with news outlet WUSA 9, an infectious diseases expert also discussed whether it would be okay to get a booster shot when feeling under the weather. Dr. Kawsar Talaat from Johns Hopkins Medicine said that it is not recommended to get a vaccine when having another illness other than COVID-19, such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Dr. Donald Alcendor from Meharry Medical Center added that it will prevent the immune system from being compromised before getting the booster. Also, it would be harder to distinguish which symptoms are caused by the booster or the illness itself. That is why it is recommended to wait and reschedule the booster until you feel well.
On the other hand, those with milder symptoms can go ahead and get a booster. But experts noted that there is no urgency to getting a booster shot because they can still wait until they feel better.
RELATED ARTICLE: Experts Weigh in on How Severe the Omicron Variant Will Be That May Strain Health Care Systems
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