What happens if you only got one dose of the vaccine and missed the second one?

Many people got their first dose of the vaccine, and for one reason or another missed their second dose.

In that case, what do they do?

For Moderna there’s a 28 day waiting period before you can get the second dose, and for Pfizer it’s 21 days.

Starting over or getting the next dose depends on how long ago the first dose was.

Dr. Sherri Young, the health officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in West Virginia, says if it’s been over 6 months since the first dose, it’s better to just start over again with everyone getting their third doses.

She says to just treat the second dose like it’s the first, then get the second when necessary. Doing it that way ensures the best chance of protection.

That is the official recommendation of Pfizer, and the same is expected from Moderna.

Staff Report

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