Key TakeawaysA recent study shows that neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron COVID variant decreases significantly about three months after a booster shot.It’s possible that routine COVID-19 boosters will be needed in the long run, similar to annual flu shots.In the fall, updated COVID-19 boosters may be available, which are expected to provide more protection against Omicron and its subvariants.

Key Takeaways

A recent study shows that neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron COVID variant decreases significantly about three months after a booster shot.It’s possible that routine COVID-19 boosters will be needed in the long run, similar to annual flu shots.In the fall, updated COVID-19 boosters may be available, which are expected to provide more protection against Omicron and its subvariants.

For many Americans, it’s been several months since their COVID-19 booster shot. Are those who aren’t yet eligible for a second booster still protected?

The data also shows that later types of Omicron—BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5—were 1.5 and 2.5 times less susceptible to booster shot neutralization than BA.1, respectively. According to the authors, the findings suggest that Omicron is gaining increasing resistance to vaccines over time.

“It’s data like this that drove the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the vaccine manufacturers to look at vaccines that contained Omicron spike protein,”Andy Pekosz, PhD, virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Verywell.

Last month, the FDA advised vaccine manufacturers to develop modified, bivalent vaccines that include the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 spike protein component in addition to the current vaccine composition.Pfizer-BioNTechandModernahave already shared the data of their bivalent vaccine candidates with regulators.

These should provide stronger protection against Omicron and older variants in the fall, Pekosz said.

FDA Recommends Booster Shots for Omicron Subvariants

What Could This Mean for COVID Vaccination Schedules?

It’s possible that the U.S will eventually transition to a vaccine schedule similar to its annual approach to influenza, based on the evidence and experience with COVID-19 thus far,Mark Loafman, MD, MPH, a family physician and chair of the Family and Community Medicine Department at Cook County Health in Chicago, told Verywell.

The flu shot is formulated annually based on the strain that is projected to be in circulation for the flu season. However, COVID-19 is different because it does not follow a fixed seasonal cycle that comes and goes.

Understanding Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

It’s important to find out whether we’ll continue to need regular COVID-19 boosters in the long run, and if so, whether once a year will be the right schedule, Loafman said.

“Overall, COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives and preventing serious illness, especially for those who are boosted,” he said. “While it is disappointing that vaccines and boosters are not stopping infection as had been hoped, they are still a miracle in terms of preventing death and serious illness.”

Time and more clinical trials will help answer these questions.

What This Means For YouIf you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose, make sure to get it immediately to help your body respond to an Omicron infection. Although research shows that neutralizing antibody levels wane after three months, some COVID-19 protection still persists. In the fall, you may be able to get a bivalent booster that provides stronger protection against Omicron.

What This Means For You

If you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose, make sure to get it immediately to help your body respond to an Omicron infection. Although research shows that neutralizing antibody levels wane after three months, some COVID-19 protection still persists. In the fall, you may be able to get a bivalent booster that provides stronger protection against Omicron.

Does Getting a COVID Booster and a Flu Shot Together Make Side Effects Worse?

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lyke KE, Atmar RL, Islas CD, et al.Rapid decline in vaccine-boosted neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.Cell Rep Med. 2022;3(7):100679. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100679Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA recommends inclusion of Omicron BA.4/5 component for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lyke KE, Atmar RL, Islas CD, et al.Rapid decline in vaccine-boosted neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.Cell Rep Med. 2022;3(7):100679. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100679Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA recommends inclusion of Omicron BA.4/5 component for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lyke KE, Atmar RL, Islas CD, et al.Rapid decline in vaccine-boosted neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.Cell Rep Med. 2022;3(7):100679. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100679Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA recommends inclusion of Omicron BA.4/5 component for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

Lyke KE, Atmar RL, Islas CD, et al.Rapid decline in vaccine-boosted neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.Cell Rep Med. 2022;3(7):100679. doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100679

Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA recommends inclusion of Omicron BA.4/5 component for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

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