What you need to know about COVID-19 booster shots, including how to get them in Duke

In the light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Booster Shot ApprovalThe booster is now available on the Duke University campus for all students who received the last dose of the vaccine at least 6 months ago. Not required by the university, Highly recommended..

Cameron Wolff, an associate professor of medicine and co-leader of Duke’s COVID-19 Vaccination Planning Working Group, said the booster was “obviously most important to those who were vaccinated further back because of the decline in antibodies. There is, “he wrote in an email.

“COVID risk is proportional to how often you are exposed, so for example dorms and healthcare professionals have always been a boost priority,” Wolff writes.

Liza Goldstone, a first-year student who chose to get a booster for Thanksgiving breaks, had this in mind.

“I live in a college collective environment, so I thought getting a booster was a wise choice,” she said.

Data from clinical trials show that booster shots given 6 months after the first set of vaccines increase the immune response of human patients. As a result, experts are acting more and more urgently to disseminate information and access booster shots. As Wolf said, “to make the shield as high as possible.”

At least 2,000 students have already received booster shots. schedule It can be created using Duke’s Student Scheduling Site, which has vaccine locations at Blue Devil Tower, Duke University Hospital, and Duke Clinic 1J (walk-in only). Booster shots are free and ready to use.

“It wasn’t easy to get a promise,” said second-year student Aaron Price, who recently received a booster. The price received a third dose at the walk-in clinic, which is open from Monday to Friday. “The whole process probably took 25 minutes. They wouldn’t have been any better.”