Booster longevity: Data reveals how long a third shot protects
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/19/1071809356/covid-booster-omicron-efficacyWe've known for about a month now that a third shot of the vaccine is critical for protecting against infection with the omicron variant — and for keeping people out of the hospital. Now researchers in the U.K. have the first estimates for how long a third shot of the Pfizer vaccine will last. And the findings are mixed.
Protection against infection is likely short-term, lasting less than six months, but protection against severe disease appears more robust, researchers with the U.K. Health Security Agency reported Friday. Specifically, the researchers found that right after the third shot of the Pfizer vaccine, protection against a symptomatic infection is pretty good. Two weeks after the shot, the booster cuts the risk by about 70%. But that protection falls quickly. By three months the booster only reduces the risk of a symptomatic infection by about 50%.
In a second analysis, the U.K. researchers estimate the protection will decline even further, dropping to about 40% about four months after the third shot. "The vaccine's efficacy against infection relies on our level of antibodies because they are really our first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2," says immunologist Jennifer Gommerman at the University of Toronto.
With any vaccine, the level of antibodies rises quickly right after the shot and then diminishes again with time. "That is perfectly normal and expected," she says, "So in terms of protection against infection, we will see some protection early on with a booster, but that protection is going to wane. "Keep in mind, too, that omicron is very different than the original version of SARS-CoV-2, which is what we've been immunized against," Gommerman adds. "And so our protection takes a bit of a hit in terms of how well those antibodies can recognize omicron."
snip
= new reply since forum marked as read
Neither of the first 2 (Beta and Delta-tweaked) have as far as I know.
We also were getting the highest doses (as we were in a specific experimental 'arm', there were multiple combos and doses) they tested for.
100 µg dosage for all 3.
We first received 2 South African (Beta) variant-tweaked mRNA-1273.351 Moderna initial jabs as part of a trial here in Stockholm.
On September 23, 2021, we got (as part of an additional, very small experimental trial) jabbed for the 3rd time and this was with the new Moderna mRNA-1273.617 Delta variant tweaked vax (100 µg dosage).
We had almost no reactions to the Beta variant jabs other than sore arms for like 12 hours or so.
Not this time, lolol.
By around 20 00 to 22 00 (we got them at 14 00) we were both asking what type of lorry had run us over. Fever (over 100F) chills, headache from hell, and night sweats all night long, plus sore arms (the same intensity as the first two). Friday we were still not 100% recovered but had far less symptoms and no fever. Sore arms were gone by nightfall Friday. By this morning (Saturday) most all symptoms have disappeared for both me and wifey.
That first night was rough, sickest either of us had been in years tbh, but it came and went fairly quickly. I had the added 'pleasure' of some serious PMS as well (non vax related of course).
The doctors warned us to expect a heavy duty reaction based off a similar trial already running in the US.
They also were testing a new multivalent vax, mRNA-1273.213, a candidate combining the Beta-specific and Delta-specific candidates. Our results (because we got both as single variant vaxes, so a similar profile) will be compared to that one.
I got my booster the second week of September. So I have around two months for any protection from infection at all? 
Supposedly it will still keep me from getting seriously ill, but with two co-morbidities I might not stand much of a chance whatsoever against this hideous virus.
Well, I knew I wasn't going to live forever, but I'd rather not die with my lungs turning into concrete. What a horrible way to go.
I've had Pfizer 3 times now, and I've read (since I got the booster) that 1. Moderna has longer lasting effects according to some studies and 2. It's good to mix them up. Don't ask me where I heard/read either of those things, because I've given up trying to keep track...but either way, I feel like Moderna is my best bet for next time.
Of course, the information seems to change every time I turn around, so really, who the hell knows? 
