What is COVID-19 vaccine booster? Do you need it after being fully vaccinated?
COVID-19 breakthrough infections are being reported even in fully vaccinated people. While not complying with COVID appropriate behaviour does play a role, there is no denying the fact that emerging variants have also played their part in reinfections. This has increased the demand for a booster shot. In fact, Israel and the United States have started offering booster shots to adults at risk. But what is a vaccine booster?
Vaccine booster
Booster shots are for people who are fully vaccinated. They are administered to provide them with an extra layer of protection against the disease. Studies say that booster shots are given after the effect of the vaccination starts to wean out in some time, to cut the risk of infection. Not just for COVID, booster shots are also given for many other viral infections like flu, tetanus, Diphtheria and pertussis.
Is booster dose helpful?
Data from Israel where booster shots are being given to adults have reported that a shot of Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine has improved immunity and has offered protection from severe illness among people over the age of 60.
Israel's health ministry published a finding stating that protection against infection provided from 10 days after a third dose was four times higher than after two doses among people over the age of 60 and over. It is found that the third jab for people over 60, offered five to six times greater protection after 10 days of serious illness and hospitalisation.
Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published three new studies which say protection offered by Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against the novel coronavirus will fade eventually.
This has led to a debate among experts about the need for a booster dose for everyone.
Who will be given the booster dose?
As per the current rules, the third shot will be administered for transplant patients and people who have weakened immune systems due to conditions like diabetes and cancer patients to provide them with better protection against COVID-19.
India's take on booster dose
Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS chief said that India does not have enough data right now on the need for a third COVID-19 vaccine shot, called the booster dose for increased protection. More information regarding this will be available by the early months of next year, says Dr Gulleria.
As per the World Health Organisation, there is no current data indicating that COVID-19 booster shots are needed.