In the next year or so it’s becoming more and more likely that next generation vaccines or booster shots may be something already vaccinated people have to get in order to combat new virus mutations.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus now accounts for one in five infections in the U.S.
Booster shots are even more imperative as these variants spread more quickly, especially in areas where vaccination rates are lower, according to Dr. Chris Beyrer, Professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
But the good news is COVID-19 booster shots are already being developed, said Beyrer. "These advances in technology, particularly the mRNAs, make it really not that hard to make a new vaccine."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine that protect against infectious diseases. mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA in any way.
And that’s important because the virus is impressive. And these new variants are a concern, as you know
Studies are underway about boosting, and mixing and matching different vaccines, and Beyrer said so far the results are encouraging. "Of course they have to go through safety and efficacy studies, but the technology really is impressive."
“And that’s important because the virus is impressive,” said Beyrer.
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