![]() ![]() ![]() (Read more on what you need to know about COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people at high risk.)Īll of that said, the U.S. The Pfizer and Moderna boosters are recommended six months after you’ve received the second dose.Īnd everyone - regardless of whether they are immunocompromised or high-risk - who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is eligible for a booster at least two months after the initial dose. These boosters are meant to increase immunity when antibody levels wane over time. For instance, the American College of Rheumatology recommends that those with inflammatory or autoimmune rheumatic conditions who are on immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medication get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after the completion of the vaccine series.īooster shots are available for people at high risk for severe COVID-19 because of age, other chronic conditions, or occupation. If you’re immunocompromised, you may need an additional third dose of an mRNA vaccine for protection. I encourage my patients to get the vaccine, take advantage of the third shot that is available, and obviously continue to use social distancing, masking, and other precautions in crowded places.” ![]() “Last year, we were not in the best place before the holiday season. ![]() “This year, we are in a much better position because of the vaccine availability,” says gastroenterologist Inessa Khaykis, MD, of Vanguard Gastroenterology in New York City. The Impact of Vaccines on Holiday Plansīeing fully vaccinated and around others who are fully vaccinated is the safest scenario for the holidays, but people who are immunocompromised should likely take some extra precautions too.įirst, make sure to get a third dose or booster dose of the vaccine. Of course, there’s one major difference between this year and last year: There are now very effective vaccines. There are a number of steps you can take to stay safer from COVID-19 during the 2021 holiday season, some of which you’ll recognize from last holiday season. If you’re immunocompromised, that means evaluating how safe and comfortable you will feel in a given situation, based on who else will be attending, everyone’s vaccination status, local rates of COVID-19, and more. Unlike last year, where many people spent the holidays only with members of their immediate household or alone, we are now in a phase of the pandemic that is centered around minimizing risk. Most plan to make some modifications to plans, such as having smaller gatherings or being only with others who are fully vaccinated. In a recent poll of the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s COVID-19 Patient Support Program, only 11 percent of respondents - who are immunocompromised or high-risk - said they plan to spend the holidays like they did before the pandemic. Will you visit with family and friends? If so, should you ask everyone if they’re vaccinated? And if you’re fully vaccinated, will you still take the same precautions you did last holiday season?Īll of these scenarios are even more complicated if you’re immunocompromised and at high-risk for severe COVID-19. was in the midst of a winter surge and COVID-19 vaccines were not widely available.With the holidays quickly approaching, there is a whirlwind of decisions to make about what you’re comfortable with. The guidance for 2021 is in stark contrast from 2020 when the U.S. The CDC says people who are mixing households or are traveling from different parts of the country could consider additional precautions such as taking a COVID-19 test or avoiding crowded indoor spaces before traveling.Įven though children under 12 cannot receive the vaccine, the CDC advises against putting masks on children younger than 2 years old. "You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated," the CDC says. Mask wearing is also encouraged in certain situations. The best way to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 is by making sure those eligible are vaccinated prior to the gathering, the CDC states. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidance for how people can safely enjoy the holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic. ![]()
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