Will we need an annual Covid vaccine, the way we do with the flu one?

[question everything]

(at least, most of us).

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I expect to be getting a booster and don't have a problem with it.

[question everything]

5. Thanks. Will have to schedule one and, hope that there is enough supply

Today I read that many J&J are close to expiration date.

Back at you

[berni_mccoy]

2. It's likely.

[Pobeka]

3. yes.

We won't even be able to rid the USA of covid (see anti-vax).

As long as the virus has hosts it will mutate.

There is also some new reporting that the virus can cross species (I don't have a link as I was driving when I heard it on NPR).

[soothsayer]

4. Hard to say. Some viruses (like the 1918 flu) sort of vanish

I have no problem with a booster tho.

[hlthe2b]

6. There is NO recommendation YET and recent data on persistent T-cell immunity above & beyond

the neutralizing antibody immunity produced by activated B-cells MAY mean that booster doses will not be recommended annually. Might we end up with a longer (18 months, two years, or some other time frame) duration between doses and only the immune-compromised recommended to receive them more frequently? Possibly.

But, there is not sufficient data yet so no recommendations have been promulgated. I can assure you CDC is looking intently at the issue and a lot of funding is backing academic institutes looking at neutralizing antibody duration/degradation curves. In addition, close attention is being placed on the performance of vaccine immunity against the newest circulating variants, which continues to be good, for now.

Do plan on getting your annual flu vaccine, however, and keep alert for changing assessments re: COVID-19 immunity.

[Xoan]

7. YES

because of variants.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. No one knows

My son is in Pfzier trial and he has blood work scheduled in August which will be one year after his first shot There is probably not enough data until the persons in the trials are tested again