Booster shots. Who is eligible?

BOOSTER SHOTS:

         People who have finished their primary immunization series are given booster doses, which are usually one or two doses depending on the product. A booster shot is required when the population's immunity falls below the rate regarded sufficient. The goal of a booster dosage is to restore vaccine effectiveness when it has been determined that it is no longer adequate.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

·         CDC:

The CDC states:

      1. People above the age of 65 should obtain a booster shot.

      2. Residents in long-term care facilities should receive a booster dosage if they are 18 or older.

      3. People aged 50 to 64 who have underlying medical issues should receive a booster dosage.

      4. People aged 18 to 45 who have an underlying medical problem may be given a booster dosage.

      5. People aged 18 to 64 who live in high-risk locations may receive a booster dosage.

·         NHS:

The NHS states:

       1. People in their fifties and sixties

       2. People who live and work in nursing homes

       3. health and social care personnel on the front lines

       4. People aged 16 and up who have a medical condition that puts them at a high risk of being critically ill as a result of COVID-19.

       5. People aged 16 and over who are the primary carrier of COVID-19 for someone at high risk.

       6. People over the age of 16 who reside with someone who is more susceptible to illness (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

       7. People who are pregnant and belong to one of the eligible groups are also eligible for a booster shot.

WHEN TO GET A BOOSTER DOSE?

          Booster dose should be administered after 2-6 months of second shot.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED:

According to WHO:

·         IMMUNITY:

          It's uncertain whether a decrease in titer after immunisation reflects a decrease in vaccine efficacy. Some vaccines claim to provide immunity for up to 6 months after injection. Neutralizing antibodies have been observed to be waning..

·         VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS:

           The majority of studies on the duration of protection are observational. The effectiveness of the vaccine against infection and milder forms of COVID-19 has been steadily declining over time, according to new findings. In terms of the duration of protection against diseases that necessitate hospitalisation, current data show that it is still very effective.

The vast majority of contemporary infections are seen in unvaccinated populations, and if breakthrough infections do occur in vaccinated people, they are usually milder than in unvaccinated people.

·         GLOBAL VACCINE SUPPLY:

            The level of evidence regarding the necessity for these doses, their safety and effectiveness, as well as the global availability of vaccines should all be considered when deciding whether or not to add a booster dose to a national immunisation programme.

BOOSTER VS THIRD DOSE:

           What is a booster vaccine, exactly? Is it the same as a third or additional shot? Is there a difference in meaning if we're talking about a booster rather than a third dose?

Yes, according to the US Department of VETRAN Affairs, an additional or third dose is given to persons whose bodies haven't produced enough immunological response as a result of the first two shots. A booster dose, on the other hand, is for persons whose immune systems have been impaired or weakened over time.

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