Getting a second booster?

I got the second booster for our upcoming trip to Italy. My husband had a breakthrough case of covid which is as good as a second booster per our dr.

Here is a 77-post-strong (so far!) discussion on this very question, just a little further down the page:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/covid19/what-are-your-plans-about-when-to-get-a-4th-booster

We had our booster in early October and since they say it diminishes over time we went ahead and got our 2nd booster last week. We leave for Italy in a month and it seemed reasonable to take the precaution. If it turns out we need another before winter we will get that with a flu shot in the Fall when offered. I could not think of a reason NOT to get it and many reasons to get it. YMMV

I’m traveling to Germany in mid July. After uploading my vaccination record (with 1st booster on 10/1/21) to Delta FlyReady it was rejected because my last shot would extend beyond the required 270 days between vaccinations for entry into that country. I will be receiving my 2nd booster in June to accommodate this requirement. Notwithstanding I would gladly receive it just for the additional protection.

I'll be getting mine in the next few weeks before traveling to Europe in mid-May. Also will do a self-test before leaving to make sure I'm not about to infect anyone on the trip.

I think right now Europe seems to be experiencing a new wave of covid

Right now most of the world, including North America is experiencing a new wave of covid.

Our Chief Medical Officer is recommending a second booster for anyone over 60 or at risk for serious illness, and is at least 6 months since their first booster. Irrespective of their travel plans. We will get ours as soon as we are eligible, but not because of our upcoming international travel.

I just got my second booster last week. I'm leaving on April 25th for a month in Germany and want all the protection I can get.

I would get the shot before your trip. We are getting ours next week as our MD wants us to have them.

Thanks Kim ... lots of comments. Second booster it is....appointments are set for May 6th. Thanks all

I wish it was so easy in NZ
We're 60/69 he's got heart issues - leaving for the US/Europe mid July.

No one has been approved for a 2nd booster yet.

I'm trying to get into a clinical trial which will see me get the 2nd booster and flu shot (either a month apart or together). My partner's too old to be eligible. I'm really hoping that my partner can get a booster before we leave based on age , health he should. If not it will be our first stop in Hawaii get him boosted.

So yes, just do it!

Hi Donna,

I think if you have the opportunity to get your second booster "as sort of 'insurance'", then by all means ......... roll up your sleeves!

I will arrive in Greece on May 29th, and I just received my second booster this past Saturday (and no side effects this time!).

Have a great time in Italy!

@raymonlee,

I’m a bit confused by your experience with Delta. I thought the 270 days since last dose only meant that you had to have a booster shot if it been 270 days or more since you received the second dose of your initial vaccination. But what you wrote suggests that if your first booster shot was more than 270 days ago, then you need a second booster. But not everyone is even entitled to a second booster shot. Am I misunderstanding your post or the entry requirements?

Have not looked at Germany’s requirements, however, the 270 day after last dose which would be 3rd shot is what Switzerland is imposing for folks from US as Switzerland still has us classified as a high risk country. We switched our trip because of it.

I'd love to get a 2nd booster before we travel in June because even just transiting through Germany it would be easier to have it. Because we are in our 40s though it looks like we aren't eligible. So frustrating!

@Indyhiker

Delta’s FlyReady rejected my proof of vaccination because it would have been roughly 283 days since my last covid shot which was a booster on 10/1/2022. My departure date is 7/7/22. It appears that Germany requires that your last vaccination can not be more than 270 days ago. Or it just could be the airline’s interpretation. While that may change before I travel it was the requirement as of last week. None the less I was glad to have this technical information today rather than it being an issue at departure.

I’m onboard with any booster available.

I agree with your thoughts about how can everyone comply when a 2nd booster is not available to everyone and that’s why I’ve kept checking. I have international trips planned through October.

We got booster number 1 in November. We just became eligible for booster 2. We will be going to Sicily this spring and there has been an uptick in COVID cases. We choose to get the 2nd booster. If you do get the booster, be sure to get it at least 2 week before your trip.

We also decided to get each booster as it comes along as soon as we are eligible. For us, the only downside is a sore arm and feeling punky for a day.

Shots Feb and March 2021, booster last Election Day, and 2nd booster two weeks ago, just before our current trip, as soon as they made the recommendation for our age group (we are 68 and 67). This was a no-brainer for us.

We leave for England in a month and have had our second booster as a sort of protection (hopefully). No reactions at all except a bruised feeling arm. Just a little extra insurance for us.

Now that the CDC card has all 4 lines filled, anyone have info on what happens when shot 5 is needed?

As someone who developed Covid symptoms on the plane home from Italy 2 weeks ago (after testing negative in Italy) I would agree that Covid is definitely around in Europe. My booster was old (October) but I had non-symptomatic Covid 2 months ago which I though would protect me. I would definitely recommend a 2nd booster!

Thanks for for the additional response. I don’t have any plans to fly just yet but I’ve kept a close eye on these issues. I’ll get a second booster soon but my husband is too young for it so any experience that seems to suggest that the timing of a booster (not just whether you’ve had one) is relevant worries me. I tend to think Delta is misinterpreting something but that argument doesn’t work when you’re trying to board a flight!

My 1st booster was in august so I was 8 mos out--so I got my 2nd booster yesterday---first European trip moved to late August (from June) when I hope things will calm down a bit more. But who knows????

Got booster2 yesterday after booster1 on Oct. 13. I'm traveling May 17 and wanted to take advantage of all the protection offered. I want to live life! Feeling a bit punky today, but that might be because I just finished my taxes!

Now that the CDC card has all 4 lines filled, anyone have info on what happens when shot 5 is needed?
I don’t see this as a problem. Just take your filled up card for the fifth one when authorized and get a new card. I don’t see an issue carrying multiple cards either. It would be nice if the CDC card was updated to reflect the actual number of boosters. I think asking the CDC to do that might be asking too much / s!