Booster Dose For Covid: Why Is It So Important Even After Both Your Vaccinations
The risk of COVID-19 infection is not yet over. The impact is mild these days; maybe because we are vaccinated with both doses. Still, there are chances of getting infected with the new variants of COVID-19. To diminish any future risk, the government has approved precautionary vaccine doses for 18+ in private health centres.
What is a booster dose or precautionary dose?
The precautionary dose is the booster dose or the 3rd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine which is given to a person who has taken the 2nd dose of vaccination 9 months ago. After a certain period of time, the effect of 2 doses decreases eventually, hence the booster dose is required to boost your immunity and extend it for a longer duration of time.
After the two cases of highly transmissible XE strain have been found in India, the Government has made a bold decision to allow adults over the age of 18 to receive their third shot. The XE strain has been identified in India, one in Gujarat and the other in Mumbai. The cost of Covishield and Coavaxin also have been reduced by private hospitals to encourage more people to opt for the vaccination.
Impact of booster dose on your body
A booster dose or a precautionary dose will boost the immunity of a person and it will help in fighting against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This dose will develop the antibodies and will save you from getting infected.
Advantages of a booster dose
- It will help your body fight against the virus and its new strains in the long run.
- Taking a precautionary dose will reduce the chances of serious infection, hospitalization, and death.
Risks if you ignore taking a booster dose
When a person ignores getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and 3rd shot of precautionary dose, he or she is more prone to get infected with COVID-19 virus and its variants. Also, the severity rate will be high for them in case of any infection. To prevent the complications of Covid, one should take their shots immediately.
Booster dose eligibility
- A person who is more than 18 years of age is eligible to take 3rd vaccine dose or the booster dose.
- An individual who has completed the two doses of vaccination is eligible to take a precautionary dose.
- A fully vaccinated person who has completed a duration of 9 months or 39 weeks after the second dose. The date of second dose vaccination registration should have a time gap of 9 months from the 2nd dose.
Which booster to take? Covishield or Covaxin?
The Union Ministry of Health has clarified that the precautionary dose should be the same vaccine that was given in the first and second doses. A vaccination combination will not be used. A person with covaxin as 1st and 2nd dose should get covaxin booster dose
Take the right step: Stay Protected
People who are vaccinated with two doses should compulsorily take this dose as it will help us fight against coronavirus and its new strains. Even if you feel everything is normal and healthy around you, the risk of a silent surge of a new infection cannot be ruled out looking at the previous scenarios. It is the right time to take this dose and be a coronavirus fighter. Protect yourself and your family from deadly strains coming in future.
