If I get either of the two current COVID-19 Vaccines, how long will it last? Will we need it every year like the “flu shot”?

By: Dr. John Kitsteiner, MD

Quick Answer: We don’t know yet, but COVID immunity from the vaccine will likely last for at least a year. Probably longer.

Let’s first talk about the “flu shot”.

The influenza vaccine is given yearly because new strains of influenza develop rapidly each year... that’s how influenza viruses work.

In general, flu vaccines last about 6 months before antibodies start to dwindle... which is fine because that’s enough time to cover you though flu season. And this year’s strain is unlikely to be the trouble maker next year.

But other vaccines, like tetanus, last for many years. Also Tetanus doesn’t really mutate much. This is why we don’t get a tetanus booster every year. We just get one when our immunity starts to wear off. In the case of Tetanus, that’s about every 10 years.

And those in the COVID vaccine trials had high antibody levels at the 3 month mark, so we expect coverage for at least 6 months minimum. But I anticipate the data will show it lasts for at least a year and probably a lot longer.

Bottom line: the COVID vaccines will last long enough to make them worth it.