I’m getting asked about booster shots a lot lately, thanks to the summer surge of COVID-19 cases as more of us are traveling and gathering. And with health experts expected to announce an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the fall, it’s reasonable to wonder if its makes sense to get boosted now, or to wait.

The answer isn’t simple, and it depends on your individual circumstances, according to the experts I interviewed. More people have some sort of immunity built up, both from getting vaccinated and from getting infected, sometimes repeatedly, with the COVID-19 virus. But both types of immunity can wane after a few months, leaving you less than fully protected against infection. That protection is still strong enough to keep you from getting severely ill and hospitalized, but who wants to get infected if it means you could be sick even for a day? Here’s how doctors recommend you navigate boosters:

• For older people and those with weakened immune systems, it makes sense to get boosted now, since cases are increasing.
• For otherwise healthy people, discuss with your doctor whether your health history—including chronic conditions you have and medications you take—might justify getting a booster shot now.
• Even if you get boosted now, you'll still be able to get the updated shot a few months later, whenever it becomes available.

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