Sick with COVID-19 symptoms? Here's how long to wait before getting a booster shot
More and more British Columbians are getting their invitations to get their third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, competing with the rate of Omicron spread.
What happens if someone begins to develop COVID-19 symptoms right before they’re supposed to get their booster shot?
Dr. Yanet Valdez, an immunologist and the B.C. lead for COVID-19 Resources Canada, gave CTV News Vancouver some insight.
Whether someone has a suspected case or a confirmed case of COVID-19, Dr. Valdez said the answer is clear: get the booster.
“We know how infectious Omicron is and it's important for us to not give up … continue to build on these layers of protection,” she said.
But when someone should get the booster depends on whether they have a suspected case or a confirmed case.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE EXPERIENCING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
British Columbians with mild COVID-19 symptoms who are fully vaccinated are told a test is not needed and instead told to stay home until they feel better.
Without confirmation that the illness was triggered by the coronavirus, Dr. Valdez said the safest best is to get the booster as soon as possible.
“I will advise you to wait until you're feeling better and then get your booster,” she said, adding there is no harm in getting the vaccine if you did have COVID-19. “You're reinforcing your immune system. So you are just giving an extra push for your immune system to continue making more antibodies and T-cell responses.”
IF YOU HAVE A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19
Dr. Valdez said if you tested positive for the disease to wait a few weeks before getting your third dose.
“Your immune system has already been offering you protection, so I would wait a little a little bit – a month or six weeks,” she said.
She said this is not a hard-and-fast rule and there is no harm in getting the booster sooner, adding this timeline was more relevant for those who were infected by the Delta variant and had a larger immune response.
Overall, she said not to hesitate in getting the booster, but to wait until you are fully recovered from your illness.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.