There’s some sobering news for the millions of Americans who skipped their second coronavirus vaccine dose: Doing so could greatly reduce their odds of avoiding severe illness.
In a “real-world” study of 417 adults aged 65 or older who got either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccines, effectiveness in keeping folks out of the hospital with COVID-19 “was 94% among adults who were fully vaccinated and 64% among adults who were partially vaccinated,” the researchers found.
“The take-home is that two doses are clearly better than one. Skipping the second dose can mean life or death. It’s just not worth it,” said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“While it’s not uncommon to experience malaise, slight fatigue or arm discomfort after having the first vaccine, it should not be a reason to forgo the second vaccine,” Glatter added. “These are signs that the vaccine is working and your immune system is responding appropriately.”
