Local experts weigh in on COVID-19 booster shots

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- Recent CDC data shows the vaccine can provide less protection over time and folks who never were vaccinated in the first place. say it makes them less likely to take the shot.

“I really don’t think there was any benefits to the first two," said Veronica Reynolds, South Bend Resident.

People with weakened immune systems are already recommended to take a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Now, the CDC is expected to recommend a booster dose for all vaccinated Americans.

“What the data seems to suggest is that overtime the protection against becoming infected falls off. It’s less clear that the protection against hospitalization and death falls off over time. It’s really just the protection against having a diagnosable COVID infection," said Dr. Mark Fox, St. Joe County Deputy Health Officer.

At the moment, the booster would only be for people with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine -- not Johnson and Johnson.

Dr. Fox says folks should still take the booster shot even if its not the same vaccine they initially received.

“I know that many doctors will go ahead and administer one of the mRNA vaccines, Moderna or Pfizer to individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson so that it becomes their own booster. Given the efficacy of Johnson and Johnson and what we know about the variants they’re likely I’d benefit," said Dr. Fox.

“I think still it might be a little too soon, but I mean I guess for those that have already been got vaccinated probably be best for them just to be safe with the new outbreak," said Reynolds.

The Biden administration is expected to recommend boosters 8 months after being fully vaccinated. Dr. Fox believes booster doses could become a regular part of our lives.