Learning about COVID booster statistics is vital because this information will aid your personal decision on the best booster to protect yourself against the virus.
For instance, according to Science Direct, “the antibody levels declined at 12 weeks and six months post-vaccination, indicating a waning of the immune response over time” in individuals that received an mRNA vaccine.
Let’s look at the published data on COVID-19 booster vaccines approved in the United States. We’ll see how the statistics show their levels of effectiveness.
Highlights:
- The three COVID-19 vaccines authorized as booster shots in the United States are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
- You are eligible for the booster if at least six months have passed since completing your primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series.
- If you received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, are over 18 years old, and at least two months have passed since your first injection, you are eligible to receive the vaccine booster.
What are the approved COVID-19 booster shots?
In the United States, three COVID-19 vaccines received approval or authorization as booster shots after the initial primary vaccination series.
- The first one is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, also known by its brand name Comirnaty and the generic name tozinameran. Scientific and medical journals also call it BNT162b2, and it is an mRNA vaccine.
- The second vaccine approved as a booster is the Moderna vaccine. The brand name is Spikevax and the generic name elasomeran. In scientific and medical journals, it’s also known as mRNA-1273, and it is an mRNA vaccine.
- The third approved vaccine as a booster is the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. In scientific and medical journals, it’s also known as Ad26.COV2.S is a viral vector vaccine.
When am I eligible to get a COVID-19 booster shot in the U.S.?
The latest notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “people age 18 years and older who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may get a booster.” If you received one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), there is a set differentiation between the words should and may get a booster. The CDC says you should obtain a booster if you meet these requirements:
- you are over the age of 50
- you are 18 or older and live in a long-term care setting
You are eligible for the booster if at least six months have passed since completing your primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series. If you received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, are over 18 years old, and at least two months have passed since your first injection, you are eligible to receive the vaccine booster.
Do COVID booster statistics show that one shot is more effective than the other?
We took a look at all the sources we could find that contained numbers of statistics of COVID-19 boosters and condensed it to the following table (Figure 1):
The information presented above is in date order of the sources released.
The current study with the most information on COVID booster statistics is a National Institute of Health (NIH) pre-print, a study where complete data is still pending, on October 15, 2021.
The pre-print contains statistics on neutralizing antibody titers. Neutralizing antibodies defend the cells from pathogens that cause COVID-19. The higher the level (or titer) of antibodies, the better your immune system can fight off COVID-19. So, with that in mind, here is a chart view of the NIH pre-print from Figure 1:
Returning to Figure 1, the Jansen-published data states that two doses given two months apart increase the vaccine effectiveness from 70% to 94%.
Similarly, the Pfizer press release shows a 95.6% vaccine efficacy for those that received a booster shot. Of note, in a press conference, the Singapore health minister stated two different numbers:
- A 62% reduction of infection risk for those that received a third Pfizer booster
- A 72% reduction of infection risk for those who received a Moderna booster after a two-dose initial Pfizer vaccination.
On November 19, 2021, the Jansen company released a fact sheet showing a 14-day neutralizing antibody titer of 8.8 following a booster dose. Researchers are gathering data for all the statistics needed to make a complete picture, and we expect to see the 29-day data released soon.
After reviewing COVID booster statistics, which will you choose?
Use statistics to help you decide! Watch our site for reports on the latest statics that come out on COVID-19.
The information contained in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions about a medical condition or health objectives.
Additional references:
CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC
CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC
Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 Booster Vaccinations – Preliminary Report | medRxiv
2 Pfizer doses and Moderna booster give more protection: MTF (yahoo.com)
System.Web.UI.WebControls.TextBox (cdc.gov)
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