LHP said:
Doc, I read Scientific American report stating a single dose of Moderna vaccine resulted in 80% efficacy and no severe infections. They also stated you should get your second dose yet there is no proven urgency to get it by day 28. In fact they reported it may prove more effective by delaying a few extra weeks. We have had our second shots postponed in College Station. We are now concerned about not receiving them within the 42 day window.
What are you thoughts? Sincerely appreciate all you are doing. '74 Ag
The clinical trials tested ~28 days between. Thus, that is all the data we have and don't have data on waiting longer.
The way this works is the immune system learns how to respond from the first shot and that learning is reinforced with the second shot. For the most part, there is more risk of the second shot not working from getting it too soon vs too late.
The risk of delayed vaccine is more about a risk of getting COVID before getting the second dose. However, your risk is ~1/5 of what it was before your first shot. If you continue to take the normal COVID precautions (masks, 6ft distance, minimize exposure), you should be fine, even if the second dose is delayed several months.