Readers are lining up to get their COVID-19 booster shot — if they haven’t already
"No way am I getting this disease, it's no joke. Sign me up for a booster!"
Massachusetts came out ahead of federal guidelines last week and joined a number of states that expanded booster eligibility to all adults. The next day, the Food and Drug Administration gave its stamp of approval to do the same nationwide.
Following the news that Gov. Charlie Baker was moving forward with the booster roll-out, we asked Boston.com readers if they planned to get their next dose. Most of the 566 readers who responded to the poll said they either planned to get the booster or already had it.
Diana L. from Needham, who said she has already received her third dose, put it simply: “I’m not taking any chances with my health.”
For one reader, reports of “waning immunity, rising rates, upcoming holiday season, and winter indoors” made the decision to get the booster “simple.”
The state is currently seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, with a reported 2,650 new COVID-19 cases last Wednesday, the highest single-day increase since February.
Booster shots are available at more than 1,000 locations in Massachusetts and are searchable through the state’s online database.
“I’m a student pharmacist here in Boston. As a member of my community and future community leader, I believe it’s my responsibility to take the appropriate steps to keep myself, my family, and my community safe,” said Khalid E. from Melrose. “And by getting vaccinated I’m taking the appropriate steps so I can continue to serve my community.”
Booster shots had already been available to certain immunocompromised adults and essential workers. Over 800,000 residents have gotten their booster, and with eligibility opening up, millions more will likely receive their third dose before the end of the year.
“Having talked to a lot of people and a lot of providers, there’s a lot of confusion out there about who’s eligible and who’s not,” said Baker. “And the simple truth of the matter is, if you’re six months out of your booster, you’re over the age of 18, and it’s a Pfizer or a Moderna, you should just go ahead and — in our opinion — sign up and get it.”
Ahead, you’ll find a sampling of responses on how readers feel about getting their third COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Will you get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?
Yes.
“Just following the science. While there is still a chance of getting COVID with the vaccines, I’m less concerned I’ll get it and spread it and I feel more comfortable in group settings. Really no different than having to get the flu shot to be able to volunteer at a hospital pre-COVID.” — Natalie G., Brighton
“I think COVID vaccination, including a booster shot, is the single most important thing a citizen can do to stop the spread of COVID and to help all of us get back to our way of life pre-pandemic. Those who can get vaccinated yet refuse to do so are holding our country back from returning to a strong economy and normal way of life.” — Patricia S., Lincoln
“Why not? The fact that rates are trending upwards again and Delta remains a part of the equation, why not do everything to provide for your health and safety?” — Brian, Wellesley
“My mother got COVID and lost all her hair! (It’s growing back.) No way am I getting this disease, it’s no joke. Sign me up for a booster!” — Meghan T., Boston
“I’ve spent my whole life getting various vaccinations, this is just another one I’ll do to stay healthy and keep those around me healthy.” — Michael G., Buzzards Bay
“It will likely prevent serious illness if I get COVID. It will lessen my window of transmissibility and reduce the risk to people around me.” — Leonard C., Reading
I’m already boosted.
“I have been reading about the waning effectiveness of the vaccine. I’m especially concerned about possibly contracting COVID over holiday travel, and my biggest concern would be possibly passing it to my grandparents who I will see for Thanksgiving for the first time in two years, as they’ve been taking their COVID precautions very seriously.” — Caroline, Cambridge
“Why the debate? I am a nurse and I believe vaccinations (and masks) should be federally mandated for public schools, restaurants, and practically every other establishment that keeps causing spikes in cases and deaths. Do we let people drive cars without a license?” — M.S., Berkshire County
“The original vaccines are waning in their efficacy. I don’t want COVID, nor do I want to inadvertently infect anyone else. I help to care for someone who is on oxygen 24/7. It just makes sense to protect him and other immunocompromised people. I was very happy to receive my third Fauchi Ouchie!” — Caroline L., Mashpee
“I work in retail, and customers have stopped wearing masks months ago. I received my Moderna booster as soon as I could. COVID sucks and I’ll happily take whatever booster is recommended in the future too. FYI: My reaction to the booster was very minor, far less than my second dose of Moderna.” — Cody M., Chelsea
“I have three kids still not old enough to be vaccinated. The best thing I can do to protect them from COVID and from close contact quarantines that impact school and activities is to make sure every adult around them and [myself] are protected as well as possible, especially going into winter.” — Heather, North Andover
No.
“Enough is enough. I got my shots, let me just live my life.” — Anonymous
“COVID is never going away no matter what they infer will happen. COVID is not polio or measles. The flu hasn’t been eradicated, has it? This vaccine can’t get us through a year and now the answer is to just take more vaccines? Whatever happened to herd immunity? I am not against vaccines but wouldn’t it make more sense to slow down at this point instead of just giving out more vaccines?” — S.R., Hudson
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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