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My husband and I had COVID-likely Omicron-in August. We're both fine now, but our son is getting married in November. We need to travel to another state for the wedding. I've read various articles about the new COVID booster, and one said to wait 3 months after an infection to get the booster; another said two months; and another said 6-9 months would be ideal. We want to make sure we're healthy for the wedding on November 12. Should we get the booster before the wedding? I was planning on getting it about mid-October but that's only two months after our infection. How long are we protected with the antibodies from our infection in August? Would getting the booster in October diminish the effectiveness of the vaccine?
The protection from natural infection may last 3 months or in some instances up to 6 months. However, we have also observed that some people have been re-infected after only 21 days, so the protection from natural infection is variable. You are eligible for Covid booster dose (with bivalent vaccine) after 2 months from your last vaccination; and there is not recommended time after a natural infection for the timing of your booster dose except that you should be recovered as much as possible from the acute infection at the time of your booster dose. I would recommend that you complete your Covid booster dose in late October. I also remind you to complete your annual influenza vaccination, which can also be done in late October.
