What happens if you skip your Covid-19 2 shot? This is what must be done – and why it is very important to get both doses

According to the latest data from controlling centers and disease prevention (CDC), more than five million Americans have missed the second dose of their Pfizer / Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in April. It was almost 8% of those who got the first shot from around 3.4% in March.

The CDC said the increase was expected, because access and feasibility increased, reported ABC news. However, experts worry that too many people are not fully inoculated.

There are several reasons for this; According to the New York Times, some people say in the interview that they fear side effects, such as flu symptoms such as, while others say they feel one shot is sufficient protection against the virus. In other cases, vaccine providers were forced to cancel the promise of the second dose because they did not have enough inventory or the right brand. However, the situation is problematic – especially if the US hopes to achieve herd immunity to fight the virus. This is what you need to know about losing a very important second shot.

What happens if I skip my second shot?

One shot from the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine does give you protection from the Coronavirus, but the risk of getting the lowest Covid-19 if you get both shots. CDC recently confirmed that two doses were better than one, with a study of nearly 4,000 health care workers, first respondents, and front-line workers between December 14 and March 13 found that one dose of the Pfizer or Modern vaccine was given 80% protection vs. 90% two weeks after the second dose.

Plus, protection from one shot might survive during the protection of both shots, especially for several newer virus variants, Ahmad Kamal, MD, MSc, Deputy Chief of Internal Medicine in Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, told health. “This is because the type of different immune response is stimulated by the second shot,” he said.

And remember: even after the second dose of Pfizer or a modern vaccine, you are not fully protected from Covid-19 to two weeks after that, Purvi Parikh, MD, which specializes in allergies of infectious diseases and immunology at NYU Langone Health, notifies health.

Related: CDC released new mask guidelines – this is the time and where you can go without one

What if I’m late to take my second shot?

Some people might forget to go for their second shot. In this case, just get it as soon as possible, suggest Dr. Parikh. “You will get the same benefit from both shots, but you have to get it as soon as possible so you don’t get sick between the dosage,” he said.

The recommended vaccine schedule is based on clinical trials that lead to the current emergency use permit approval (EUA). “It is impossible to determine whether delaying the second dose will have an impact on the level of immune response, because other dosage schedules are not studied,” Leonard Krilov’s infectious disease specialist, MD, from the island of Long Hospital Nyu Langone, told health. “That said, intervals of up to 90 or 120 days between doses may still be effective and even if longer, the second dose must be given.”

Really fine to reschedule your second Covid-19 shot with your provider – they won’t change you just because you miss your appointment.