Marian Regional Medical Center: Health experts weigh in on fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Its been roughly two weeks since the FDA and the CDC authorized a fourth
Pfizer and Moderna dose for people age 50 and older.

"And the great news is that at this point we have given out millions of
doses of vaccine worldwide ... and we are very confident that it is safe," said medical director Dr. Alicia Gonzalez of Marian Regional Medical Center.

Gonzalez says that confidence in safety goes for the fourth dose as well.

As Dr Scott Robertson explains, that booster is mainly reserved for those at higher risk of hospitalization and severe illness.

“You’re at high risk over the age of 70 with other co-morbidities it’s
probably recommended that you go ahead and get this fourth dose of vaccine," said Robertson.

Robertson says the data is still limited on the fourth booster compared to
what we’ve seen in the other doses.

"Part of the problem with the fourth of is the data is very limited ... and
so we don’t have the same certainty that we had in the other doses ...
certainly we’re confident in the safety of having a fourth dose,” said Robertson.

Robertson says we also know that antibodies after vaccination will start
waning is early as 10 to 12 weeks.

"And so immunity from the vaccine does decrease over time ... it’s
important that you look at your own risk ... look at your medical risk of
hospitalization and severe illness," said Robertson.

"If you got a Johnson and Johnson it is important to switch over to one of
the mRNA vaccine Pfizer or Moderna ... and it’s safe to have them mix in the
course of your vaccination," said Gonzalez.

The number one question Gonzalez hears from patients: How many more
boosters do we need?

"I don’t know … but realistically what we do know … is that the COVID-19
saved lives," said Gonzalez.

Both Robertson and Gonzalez say the easiest way to figure out if you should get
the fourth dose is talk to your doctor.