One size doesn’t fit all: Best time for COVID-19 booster depends on where you live, infection history

A one-size-fits-all approach for scheduling COVID-19 booster shots may not be the most effective, according to a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). The best time for people to get a booster actually varies based on where they live and their personal infection history. After analyzing data on antibody levels and on the projected incidence of COVID-19, the researchers suggest that the optimal time for a booster shot should coincide with periods of higher transmission. Doing so, the scientists said, can significantly improve protection against infection — up to a fourfold increase compared to less optimal times. “Timing is everything when it comes to COVID-19 boosters,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Townsend, PhD, the study’s lead author and the Elihu Professor of Biostatistics at YSPH. “Our research shows that receiving your booster shot at the right time can make...