While many vaccines are a “one-and-done” scenario, others may require a booster shot. You may have heard this before in regards to tetanus boosters or COVID-19 boosters.
Essentially, vaccines trigger your body to produce antibodies. They also help your body recognize this specific illness so that if you were to contract it, your body would be primed to fight it. But over time, antibodies can thin out and viruses can mutate. In cases like this, boosters can help produce those antibodies, and help your body fight against mutated variants.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Tetanus vaccination.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Vaccines.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Alexandra Schwarz, MDAlexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.
