Studies show many people may not need a fourth COVID-19 booster for several months, or even years

If you got a booster shot recently, you may not need another for a while.

According to one study released earlier this week and reported on by Apoorva Mandavilli for The New York Times, receiving three mRNA vaccinations from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna helps the body create a wide array of antibodies that are especially effective in preventing death.

John Wherry, director of the Institute for Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania, told the New York Times that scientists are starting to see diminishing returns on the number of additional doses.

According to the NYTimes, at least four studies have shown that the immune system can remember and attack the virus after several months, and may even be able to do so for many years.

Scientists have already observed this exact response in individuals who have been exposed to the coronaviruses.

A study found that people who were exposed to the virus in 2003 still have T cells that can remember and target it 17 years later. This may be the case with COVID-19.

The data is not clear as experts gather more information. Medical officials are considering guidance around additional boosters, a discussion that Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, said in December was too premature.

Fauci said in December that one of the things they were going to be careful about was the protection after the third dose of the vaccine.

The elderly and immunocompromised may benefit from a fourth shot. Sweden and Israel have been the first countries to offer the booster to high-risk communities.