SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – It's been almost two years since COVID-19 vaccines came out, so it might be time the term fully vaccinated received an update.
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Based on current research and data, being fully vaccinated means at least three vaccine doses. These three doses are required to make sure the immune system is fully charged up and protected. But it shouldn’t end there.
"The immune system, after that kind of top-up with three vaccines starts to slowly lose charge and requires a periodic recharge," said Rishi Goel, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania on KCBS Radio's "Ask an Expert" with Melissa Culross and Eric Thomas on Friday.
"We can kind of think of vaccination at this point in the pandemic, where most adults have seen a COVID-19 vaccine or infection at least three times – as a how long has it been since my last exposure," he said.
Whenever the last exposure for people was can help determine whether or not people's systems need a recharge.
If it's been anywhere from six to 12 months since a person's last vaccine dose, their immune system could definitely use a refresher on what COVID-19 looks like.
At this point in the pandemic, the vaccination process has transitioned from what number people are at – whether it’s their third, fourth or fifth dose – to how long has it been since they were last vaccinated.
"The immune system is not a static thing, it kind of naturally changes over time," said Goel.
Antibody levels, which are the main source of defense against infectious disease, do tend to taper off over the course of six months.
"That's really kind of led us to think about when the vaccines need to be updated, when the people need boosters," he said.
"Three vaccines is kind of the baseline thing," said Goel. "I am done with my primary series – I am topped up on the initial COVID-19 series."
And despite initial concern, there is no real downside to getting vaccinated often.
"But the payoff for a vaccine does increase with the time since your last dose," he said.
The longer people wait, the more they stand to gain from getting vaccinated.
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