As COVID-19 continues to evolve, booster shots remain a critical layer of protection especially for adults. A new analysis of nearly half a million people during the 2023–24 COVID season highlights why staying up to date with boosters is still important, particularly for older adults.
The study confirms that one booster shot significantly reduces the risk of serious illness. Adults who received a booster were 24% less likely to visit the emergency room or urgent care for COVID-related symptoms than those who didn’t. Even more compelling, boosters reduced hospitalization risk by 29% and the likelihood of intensive care admission or in-hospital death by 48%.
Protection peaks during the first 60 days following a booster shot. During this window, the risk of severe illness is slashed by up to 68%. For this reason, experts recommend getting the booster in early fall, before the holiday season, when people tend to gather indoors heightening the risk of viral transmission.
For adults aged 65 and above, receiving two booster doses offers even better protection. In this group, those who received two doses had a 21% further reduction in the need for emergency or urgent care and an 18% reduction in hospitalizations compared to those who only received one booster. With about 40% of the study’s participants falling in this age bracket, the results provide strong support for a twice-yearly schedule for older adults.
Younger adults, too, may benefit from a more frequent booster schedule, especially if COVID becomes less seasonal and more of a year-round threat. If that happens, healthcare providers may recommend vaccinations every six months across broader age groups.
Importantly, boosters offer added protection even for people who have previously been infected with COVID. While most individuals in the study had some level of natural or vaccine-acquired immunity, those who skipped boosters were more likely to seek care for serious illness. This shows that immunity from prior infection doesn’t eliminate the value of updated vaccinations.
COVID boosters now function much like annual flu shots in terms of added protection. While previous immunity might offer a strong base, boosters act like reinforcements strengthening the body’s defenses against the virus. Just as one would take extra measures to secure a home before a storm, getting a COVID booster strengthens personal protection against unexpected surges or variants.
