Will you need an annual COVID shot in the future? Here’s what Kaiser expert says
An infectious disease expert for Kaiser Permanente said he would not be surprised if a COVID-19 vaccination becomes an annual routine to guard against endemic coronavirus disease.
Dr. Stephen Parodi, clinical lead for Kaiser’s coronavirus response, said in a Zoom session with the media Wednesday that the strong immunity conferred by coronavirus vaccines is short-term. Pending the results of additional monitoring, people may be rolling up their sleeves for a booster shot every year for protection against variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, he said.
It could be in the form of a combination vaccine for COVID-19 and seasonal flu, he said.
State and county health agencies are developing plans for living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease that may trigger surges from time to time. A new variant threatening serious illness might lead to temporary mask requirements and other measures for a few months.
But no one has decided if additional booster shots will be recommended for the public.
Before the pandemic, coronaviruses were known for causing common colds and for repeat infections, Parodi said. People don’t develop natural long-term immunity to the viruses.
That seems to be playing out with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Parodi said people are infected with one variant of COVID-19 and months later catch another version of the virus, which is continually taking on mutations.
Unfortunately, people infected once are not immune to catching the next variant that rolls around, Parodi said. That’s why vaccinations or periodic booster shots could be part of the plan for dealing with endemic COVID.
Parodi said the general population has a higher level of natural and vaccine immunity against COVID-19 than in the past. But the vaccines for COVID-19 provide a broad base of protection against variants and greatly reduce the risk of severe illness if someone contracts the respiratory virus, he said.
Kaiser Permanente has medical centers and health clinics throughout Northern and Southern California, allowing the nonprofit system to track and monitor infectious diseases across millions of patients. Kaiser says more than 80% of its membership age 5 and older is vaccinated against COVID-19.
Parodi credited the vaccines for the milder, coldlike symptoms experienced when vaccinated people tested positive for the highly contagious omicron variant.
Anthony Fauci gives opinion
Anthony Fauci, the nation’s chief medical adviser, said in February that a yearly booster shot might not be necessary, according to Fortune magazine.
Fauci told the Financial Times it may depend on a person’s age and general health. A booster shot may be recommended for a healthy younger adult every four or five years, he said.
Though the state has relaxed masking requirements with the downturn of omicron cases, Parodi said, there’s still a need to get people vaccinated and boosted and also remain on guard for the next variant.
He said the medical community is learning more about the effects of long-term COVID on the brain, lungs, heart, other organs and mental health. He said the Kaiser health system uses a team approach to following long-haul COVID patients and coordinating care.
Kaiser holds to a firm estimate that 15% of people catching COVID-19 have nagging symptoms for more than six months; other estimates range from 10% to 30%. Parodi stressed that vaccinations protect against long-term COVID.
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, public health officer for Stanislaus County, said through a spokesperson Wednesday there’s an ongoing debate about the need for additional doses of COVID vaccine. Research has focused on the decline of antibodies six months after an mRNA vaccination and whether other components of the immune system are capable of fighting the infection.
It’s too soon to say whether vaccine or booster shots would be given annually, Vaishampayan said.
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Will you need an annual COVID shot in the future? Here’s what Kaiser expert says."
