Boosting COVID immunity with a booster dose

1. The Indian government has allowed booster vaccine doses for COVID-19 for everyone above 18 at private vaccination centres from April 10, 2022.

2. The precaution dose is the third dose of the same vaccine, which was given earlier, against the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

3. The necessity of a third dose was felt worldwide with the emergence of newer variants of the virus, while the immunity produced by two doses of the vaccine wanes gradually.

4. Although concerns over new mutations of the coronavirus, including the XE variant, infections in India have fallen to their lowest in more than a year.

Facts & Data** 

1. Under the national vaccination drive, India has administered more than 185.38 crore vaccine doses so far.

2. As of 11th April 2022, more than 2.4 precaution doses have been administered to the elderly above 60 years, healthcare & frontline workers.

3. Over 2.11 crore children accounting for about 45% in the age group of 12 - 14 years have received their first dose of the COVID vaccine.

Eligibility for booster vaccines:^#

1. 18 years or older

2. Fully vaccinated

3. Completed at least 9 months after they received their second dose

What does booster exactly do?^^

A booster dose boosts the immunity one has received from the primary vaccination. It awakens memory cells in the body to start producing more antibodies by signalling to the other lymphocytes.

This action augments the pre-existing immune defence, and a high level of protection was observed against hospitalization and death of the infected population.

What to expect after the booster shot?*

You may once again experience the usual post-effects of COVID vaccination like pain, redness, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever etc.

If we need a booster, has the earlier vaccination become ineffective?^*
No, not at all! The earlier vaccines are still effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, public health experts observed reduced protection against mild and moderate disease over time.
Sources:

**https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

^^https://bit.ly/3rg4mXm

#https://bit.ly/3jIqxBr

*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html