The CDC is now recommending that some people get not only a third, but a fourth COVID vaccine shot in what is quickly becoming a seemingly never-ending string of doses suggested to protect against the coronavirus.
The new recommendation, published Tuesday by the same government agency that at one point couldn’t make up its mind about face masks but now says even small children who’ve been vaccinated should wear them for seven hours straight during school, suggests that “moderately or severely immunocompromised” adults should get a fourth mRNA shot at least six months after getting their third. The fourth shot will be half the dose of the first, second, and third, and will be labeled as a “booster.”
That group, according to the CDC, includes cancer patients, organ recipients, and pregnant women.
Per the agency:
CDC recommends that people aged 18-49 years with certain medical conditions, including pregnancy, and people aged 18-64 years and at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose based on their individual benefits and risks.
The benefits of a COVID-19 booster dose may include a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a reduced risk for severe COVID-19.
The update has left many – including those who are vaccinated – questioning when the ever-expanding string of vaccine doses will ever end, especially since the feds and some state governments have begun mandating full vaccination as a condition of employment or to attend events or enter stores and restaurants.
Is this gonna become an every 6 month thing? I got my booster back in Aug. I'm fine doing it again come Feb, but I'm wondering if I should set reminders or something, like I do w/my migraine treatments? 😅
— erica polo (@TheEricaPolo) October 26, 2021
When does everyone get an IV rig to roll with them to places so that the are continuously receiving the vaccine (but they will still be able to get Covid)?
— jmleng1 (@Jmleng1) October 27, 2021
They’re going to need new #vaccine cards soon. Running out of room!
— Corey Hager (@cdothager) October 27, 2021
While it's impossible to know just how many vaccine doses and boosters the government will end up "recommending," if it's anything like the power trip they've been on the past two years, the answer is likely "endless."