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A second booster shot will be most beneficial for high-risk individuals, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription).

New booster eligibility: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week authorized a second Covid-19 booster for anyone 50 years and older who had their first booster four or more months ago.”

Data on second boosters: Much of the data on second booster shots comes from Israel, where studies indicate that for people aged 60 and over, two booster shots provide stronger protection against infection, serious illness and death than one.

Benefits of first booster shot: “A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report in February found that a first booster shot was 87% effective against emergency-department visits and 91% effective against hospitalizations two months later. Those figures dropped to 66% and 78% four months after a booster.” 

To boost or not to boost: Experts recommend considering local case rates, personal risk factors and potential exposure levels in deciding whether to get a second booster shot. The consensus is that the people who stand to benefit most from a second booster shot are those who are immunocompromised or at higher risk of serious disease because of underlying health conditions.

Recent COVID-19 trends: Some countries are experiencing increased cases from the omicron subvariant BA.2. In the United States, rates are increasing in some parts of the Northeast.