Introduction:
In this global pandemic crisis, there are several factors that affect the rise and fall of COVID cases. The several factors include the effectiveness of the COVID vaccine over time, following infection prevention protocols and changes in the Coronavirus variants, and the number of people who are vulnerable. COVID-19 vaccines are considered a game-changing tool. Cases among those fully vaccinated constituted a sizable chunk of the daily count of COVID cases. But currently we are hearing news about the declining effectiveness of the COVID vaccines, and experts are thinking about how to overcome this unprecedented situation. It just feels like yesterday where everyone was waiting for the day when they would be fully protected against the Coronavirus by their vaccination. In times of deep uncertainty, science has been asked to look to the future and to decide how to react to the declining effectiveness of the COVID vaccines. There comes a talk about the booster doses.
Declining effectiveness is something that our health experts expected to happen several months after full vaccination, but it has shocked us by happening earlier. Research says that a booster dose can significantly help restore the protective effects.
In the research, it was found that 14 days after the booster dose, there was about a 48 to 68% reduction in the person's testing positive for COVID-19.
What Is a COVID-19 Booster Dose?
COVID-19 booster dose is an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine given after the original primary vaccination, be it single or double doses vaccines. It is given for better and effective protection. A booster dose is typically given after the immunity from the initial doses starts to wane off. The foremost aim of booster dose is to offer a longer-term immunity.
Vaccines are given to protect against severe hospitalizations or some other worst outcomes like death. So booster doses are generally recommended when there is insufficient protection against the disease over time. Booster doses are not a new idea, but since when the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, the experts have acknowledged that boosters may someday be needed.
Why Is a Booster Dose Needed for COVID-19?
Booster doses are developed to target the new developing variants of COVID-19 and to provide long-term immunity against the deadly virus. It is normal for the antibodies to wane off over time, and one great thing is that our immune system has a memory of past infections or previous vaccines. So when you are getting exposed again to something similar through a booster shot following the exposure by the original or the initial vaccination, the memory response is even more intense than the original. Hence by delivering booster doses, the protection against the disease is enhanced.
Should Everyone Take the Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine?
You may need to take the booster dose if you fall under any of the following categories:
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People above 65 years as the risk of severity of the illness increases with age.
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People who are above the age of 18 and who have other underlying medical conditions associated with immunosuppression should take a booster dose on their individual risks and benefits. Immunocompromised conditions include:
- People who are undergoing cancer treatment.
- People who have received an organ transplant and those who are taking medications that can suppress the immune system.
- People who received stem cell transplants within the last two years.
- People with moderate to severe immunodeficiency.
- People diagnosed with HIV and who are taking any medications for HIV.
- People who take high-dose steroids.
NOTE: If you have any doubt whether you belong to the above categories, then do contact your nearby healthcare provider for details.
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People above 18 years and who live or work in high-risk areas. People who work under the following occupational settings:
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Healthcare professionals.
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Firefighters.
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Police.
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Public transit workers.
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Teachers.
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Daycare workers.
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Manufacturing workers.
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Food and agricultural workers.
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Grocery store workers.
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And if you have received Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
People who have received Johnson & Johnson vaccines should take their booster dose because the effectiveness of the vaccine decreased over time when compared to the other mRNA vaccines.
When Can the Booster Doses Be Taken?
Health experts recommend taking the booster doses at least after six months of taking the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. And in case if the person has taken Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then the experts recommend taking the booster dose at least after two months after the original shot.
Should We Take the Same Brand of Vaccine as the Original Doses?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suggested that it is safe for individuals to receive booster doses that are a different brand than the original or initial doses (the one received for the first and the second doses). So you can choose which COVID-19 vaccine you want to receive as a booster dose because some people may prefer getting a different vaccine for the booster dose. Now the experts are allowing for the mix and match for booster doses.
Can Booster Doses Cause Side Effects?
If you have developed some adverse reactions on getting your initial doses, then you can expect some similar adverse reactions or even worse. But the studies are still going on if the adverse effects are worse or if there is a change in the adverse effects with boosters. But so far, it is considered to be safe, and the side effects of the booster doses remain low.
Conclusion:
Booster doses should be mainly offered to the population that is in great need. Getting vaccinated cannot keep us from following other protocols such as wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands frequently, as by doing so, we can put an end to this deadly virus as soon as possible before it roars as different variants.
