As the cases of the omicron variant have started speeding up, the nations have begun to spread the message that the booster shots are the best defense to fight against the new strain of Covid 19. The omicron variant’s severity of infection is still not known but is observed to get suppressed on administering with the vaccine.
Boosters Shots Provide An Extra Layer Of Defense Against The Omicron
According to the White House data revealed, around 60% of people have been administered booster shots aged above 65 years of age and in total 30 percent of the total American population has received the booster shot which is less than the expected rate.
During the initial days when booster shots were allowed for all the adults, it was only for the people aged 65 and above but after analyzing the severity of the delta variant in the United States and the rising cases raised the demand to allow booster shots for all the adult population in the US.
The eligibility criteria are very basic, every adult above 16 is eligible to receive the booster shots if they have received the first dose of the initial vaccine of Pfizer or Moderna at least 6 months ago and a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months back.
Earlier this week the White House administration directed all the states for the availability of at-home kits for conducting coronavirus testing. Due to the Christmas holidays and CDC restrictions the long queues of people at on-site testing centers were becoming a danger for the people as the centers can become the epicenter for the upcoming wave.
President Joe Biden also announced that the government is planning to avail 500 million testing kits so that there is no shortage of testing in the country. Although it will take approximately 2 months
As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the booster shot raises your immune levels by 25 folds and offers an additional layer of protection. Yesterday California Governor announced that the health care workers have to compulsorily receive the booster shots due to a shortage of medical personnel in the State and the upcoming wave will increase the hospitalization rate and the staff will be in direct contact with the infected patients. It will risk the life of both nurses and patients.
At this point in time, the communication process has to be very effective and the message should be loud and clear to help people understand how important it is to get their booster shots to fight against the omicron variant. The people are being advised to get fully vaccinated to pave way for the doses of booster shots to be taken.
Dr. Anthony Fauci also stated that if you are fully vaccinated and also received the booster shots, then you need not cancel any travel plans to celebrate the Christmas festival with friends and family. On the other hand, the World Health Organization has asked people to refrain from attending parties.
