“Can I get an additional vaccine? ”
The French ship company we are sailing with in early August is following French government guidelines and states that if the second vaccine shot was given more than 6 months ago, that it is no longer valid for travel purposes. I got mine in late January because I volunteer in a hospital. Should I get another shot, i.e. the J&J, or are there contraindications for doing that? Unusual question and appreciate any help.
Female | 73 years old
3 Answers
InfectiousDiseaseSpecialistInfectiousDiseaseSpecialist
Appreciate the question, that has several parts. 1) you would need to comply with your companies and local authority guidance for travel. 2) That said, a third shot- so called "booster shot of the J&J vaccine must have been authorized by the country's health authority first before your shipping company should implement it as a requirement. In absence of that you probably would just need to prove absence of COVID-19 infection by showing a negative COVID-19 test result.
JJ vaccine does not require a second vaccine.
Thanks for the question. No booster is needed per the CDC, but if the cruise line requires it, you can request an additional shot if your doctor would allow. It is safe, except for the same side effects of the original vaccine. I would not advise switching to the vaccine of a company different from the original vaccine you received.
