As health experts question the necessity of a fourth booster shot, a Southern California immunologist is warning that more boosters may lead to diminished returns.
Dr. Alex Sette, immunologist at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology who led a new study on T cells, told KCBS Radio's "Ask An Expert," COVID-19 boosters are important, but should not be rushed.
"What a boost will do, it will increase the number of memory B and T cells to a degree, but eventually after so many boosts it’s not going to increase anymore," Sette said.
For those who are elderly and immunocompromised, if the time comes where they may decide to receive a fourth shot, it might make sense, Sette advised, however he added it doesn't need to be urgent.
"Boosters are kind of true in the sense that more people that are immunocompromised or vulnerable, it might make sense to get an additional booster. But it's also true that you start to get diminishing returns if you keep on boosting," he explained.
"If someone is elderly and has some underlying conditions to give a fourth booster could be considered, at the same time I don’t think you need to rush into it if the booster is recent," he continued.
Sette highly encouraged that everyone receive a COVID-19 vaccination as the T cells produced from the shot will protect against severe disease and death.
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