Will we need a third dose for better protection?

In India, there is a gap between two doses of the vaccine. Together, these two doses are called the ‘prime doses’ of the vaccine. Any dose given post this is called a ‘booster dose’.

Is there risk of infection even after vaccination?

“Among the available vaccines, no company has said there will not be any reinfection. After taking the vaccine, you will not have serious illness. This difference should be understood. Both infection and disease are different things,” Dr Jameel says. AstraZeneca's website claims, "the results of the Phase-3 trial of the vaccine have found that the vaccine provides 100 percent protection from serious infections, hospitalizations, and deaths due to Covid-19." However, many vaccine manufacturers in the world are saying the third dose is important.

What are vaccine companies and experts saying?

India's indigenous vaccine Covaxin has begun trials for the booster dose. The trial is being held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. In the trial, the booster dose will be taken at an interval of 6 months after taking the second dose. Therefore, this trial will be done only on those who are part of the Phase-2 trial of Covaxin. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin have emphasised the potential need for a third shot within 12 months after the initial vaccination. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, in an interview on 23 May, said that more people need to take a third dose as a booster shot to avoid the risk of a new variant of the virus.

Are other countries doing trials for booster dose?

According to the BBC report , the UK government is urging the working age group and people over 75 years to participate in the third dose trial to study its efficacy in defending new COVID variants. COV-Boost vaccine trial is studying the use of seven different COVID-19 vaccines when given as a third dose. According to the report, Professor Saul Faust, Chief Investigator at Southampton University, says that it is possible that some age groups may not need boosters and some may. He also said, "We are not trying to say that one vaccine is better than the other. Its purpose is to find out what should be a booster campaign and which vaccine should be used.”

What are the benefits of booster shots?

Research has shown that booster shots train your body to detect and protect viruses or bacteria. Depending on the type and manufacturer of the vaccine, you may get booster shots, weeks, months or even years after your first shot. The booster dose can activate the immune system immediately. It works on the basis of 'immunological memory' where the immune system remembers the vaccine that the body has already used. In such a situation, the booster dose activates the immune system immediately, whose effect is seen more.

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FAQ: Do You Need Third Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine?

The question over a third vaccine dose is emerging amid the deadly new wave and the increasing number of variants.

Kaushiky Kashyap

Published: 31 May 2021, 1:10 PM IST

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Currently, the only solution to fight coronavirus around the world is with vaccination. Those who have received both the doses of the COVID vaccine have some assurance that they can protect themselves by adopting other safety measures.

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FAQ: Do You Need Third Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine?

The question over a third vaccine dose is emerging amid the deadly new wave and the increasing number of variants.

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