Pandemic restrictions may be easing across the country, amid declining Covid cases — but experts say the virus is going to stick around for a long time.

That likely means you’ll need another Covid booster shot sometime in the future. The big question is: When?

There have been mixed reports on the matter. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing early data that could point to the authorization of a new booster dose this coming fall — potentially as the first in a series of annual Covid vaccinations, much like flu shots — according to the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, some recent studies suggest that most people who are already boosted may not need another dose for months, or even years. In the U.S., that’s approximately 44% of all fully vaccinated people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Taken together, it’s easy to be confused about the timeline. That’s why some medical experts are preaching patience, saying it’s simply too soon to know yet.

Here’s why, and what data they’re waiting on:    ...