The omicron wave has affected the people of the US on a large scale. As booster dose has been found to be effective against omicron, it has been pushed across the country. Across the country, clinics for booster shots have been set up.
Effectiveness Of Booster Dose Against Omicron; When To Get Boosted
Vaccination sites reopening, offering initial vaccination and the booster dose. The vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech can be given to children of any age.
The government requested everyone above the age of 12 to take a booster shot as soon as they are eligible to fight the omicron variant. Americans above the age of 16 were already asked to take a booster shot, but the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended children around the age of 12 to 15 to take an extra Pfizer shot, strengthening its recommendation to people above 16.
They also asked children between the ages of 5 and 11, who are severely immunocompromised to get a booster shot after 28 days from the second dose, to add extra immunity to the body.
As per new guidelines, anyone who received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations is eligible to get a booster dose after five months from their last shot. Those who have taken the Jhonson & Jhonson vaccine can get their booster dose after 2 months. CDC recommended taking Pfizer booster for those who took Jhonson & Jhonson vaccination.
Pfizer announced that taking their booster shot was found to offer more protection than those who have taken the initial two doses against covid. They said two doses may not be enough for the body to fight the infection, but it is found that taking a booster dose can increase the anti-bodies by 25 times. Blood samples that were collected after a month of booster dose showed omicron neutralizing antibodies.
Real-life data collected from Israel, that 12- to 15-year-old who got boosted didn’t show any serious health issues. Officials from CDC shared their concern to give booster shots to younger teens.
The health officials found that covid – 19 hospitalizations are nearly 10 times higher in adults than unvaccinated. Safety questions arise for adolescents showing side effects called myocarditis, which is seen more in younger teens who have taken Pfizer of Moderna vaccines. The cases are mild, compared to the inflammation caused by Covid-19. As recorded from Israel, the side effects are found among one in 10,000.
Moderna is only available for 18 and older and appears to provide better protection against omicron. The company announces that those who take the vaccination followed by their booster dose proved to have increased antibodies to fight the virus. But also, those who have taken double doses of a booster dose, show even more increase in antibodies.
Johnson & Johnson booster shots are only available for people older than 18. This does prove to be effective against omicron. A study has been conducted in South Africa to study the effectiveness of J & J’s effectiveness against omicron.
FDA approved J&J booster, but earlier this month they announced to take Pfizer or Moderna booster dose, sharing their concern about blood clots. CDC has asked people who have taken the J & J vaccine to get Pfizer or Moderna booster after two months, as it proved to be more effective.
The side effects of the booster dose have been found to be similar to the first two doses. The symptoms are found to be mild to moderate. People have been asked to wait at least 10 days after testing positive, to get a booster shot
