Throughout the pandemic, weve had to make difficult decisions about the level of risk were willing to take on in various situations, weighing the pros and cons, potential consequences and benefits. Its been exhausting.

When the coronavirus vaccines came along, there was finally hope that we could go back to normal. But even though the shots do a great job at protecting people from serious illness, plenty of Americans remain unvaccinated. And even if you are vaccinated, there is still some risk you could get a breakthrough infection, particularly as you get further out from your last shot .

Now, COVID-19 booster shots are here, and early evidence suggests they significantly strengthen the level of protection conferred by the initial doses. But the guidance for boosted individuals is murky. Is it OK to resume normal behavior, or is it still best to take it easy until cases in your area are low?

How much does the booster shot protect me?

We dont have a clear answer to how protected people are after their booster shots, according to Scott Roberts , a Yale Medicine infectious diseases physician.

The first two shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines remain wonderfully effective in preventing hospitalization and death, especially in young, healthy people. But enough studies have found that immunity from symptomatic disease wanes at around the six-month mark. At the same time, weve learned that boosting is incredibly effective, especially when it comes to keeping people at increased risk of severe COVID-19 alive and out of the hospital.

We know this from several real-world studies out of Israel that found boosted individuals were significantly less likely to get infected or wind up in a hospital if they got sick with COVID-19. Research has also shown that booster shots significantly increase coronavirus antibody levels. A National Institutes of Health study found that people who initially got the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine had a 35-fold rise in antibodies after they got a Pfizer booster and a 76-fold rise in antibodies if they got a Moderna booster.

Thats really remarkable, Roberts said.

The person getting the booster stands to benefit the most their risk of having a bad outcome from COVID-19 is remarkably reduced. Yes, you are more protected with a booster. That is undeniable, Roberts said. But we dont know exactly how much safer a boosted person is.

You do need to wait a week or two for the booster to kick in, said Celine Gounder , a clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health. At that point, most people will have peak antibody levels again, and its fairly unlikely but not impossible theyd get a breakthrough infection.

Getting an additional dose of a vaccine does not make you Superman, Gounder said.