Thread by @awong37

"Hi Alex, I have 2 doses of vaccine & JUST recovered from COVID. I'm eligible for a 3rd dose. When should I get it?"

Great Q. You assuredly had Omicron, so while you're eligible to get your booster 'right away', I'd personally wait at least 6-8 weeks. Why?

Short 🧵 👇 (1/n)

First, getting a 3rd dose even AFTER you've recovered from Omicron makes sense. You're further bolstering your immune response from whatever the 'next' variant will be. *Big sigh.*

Better for your immune system to be ready for whatever this pandemic throws at it next. (2/n)

Second, DON'T get a booster dose when you're symptomatic.

You're putting persons at risk of exposure to Omicron, and your immune response to vaccine WON'T be as good as when you've fully recovered and your immune system has had a chance to calm down. (3/n)

Spacing out vaccine doses, as Canada has done, has been shown to lead to MORE robust & long-lasting immune responses vs giving doses over shorter periods of time (i.e. <4 weeks).

Immunologically, it makes sense to wait instead of 'rushing' for that 3rd dose. (4/n)

For me personally, I would say waiting ~6-8 weeks post-recovery to get boosted makes sense.

Omicron will remain the dominant variant for months, so your risk of reinfection now that you've recovered is probably very low between your 2 doses and protection after recovery. (5/n)

Spacing that booster out will likely lead to better & longer-lasting protection going forward, given that your immediate risk from Omicron is now low.

Caveat: I'm just a dumb ID doctor. But thankfully, this kind of thinking is endorsed by super smart immunology types, too. (6/7)

This excellent article @LaurenPelley sums it up. Great info from brilliant virologist @akelvinlab (go #SK!) + super-smart immunologist @deeptabhattacha!

In summary, don't rush for the 3rd dose. But MAKE SURE you get it done, please.

Be safe, all. (/end)

cbc.ca/news/health/om…