The booster shot is upon us. After pondering on the idea for a while, the High Committee for Vaccines against COVID-19 has announced last Friday that third vaccine doses will be available to residents as early as October. This news has stirred controversy this past week.
Why a booster shot of vaccine?
According to the committee for vaccines, a booster shot of the vaccine is more than needed as the country prepares to open its borders. The committee ruled that attention should be paid to variants of the virus and that a booster shot could help build immunity against COVID-19 and its variants.
Another consideration: The decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines over time. It is important to note that several studies have shown that the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine decreases over time. It is 10% less effective after six months.
Who will receive this booster shot?
All people who have been vaccinated are concerned by this booster shot.
What vaccine will you receive?
It seems that the vaccination committee has approved the vaccine mix for this booster shot, as the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines are not available right now in Mauritius. Anyone who has received either of these two vaccines will receive the Johnson & Johnson Janssen or the Pfizer depending on availability.
Note that a shipment of Pfizer will soon arrive in Mauritius. The Pfizer shot will be intended for adolescents from 12 to 17 years old as a priority and also for the booster shot.
Are booster shots being done around the world?
Israel and Hungary were the first to announce the first booster shots of the vaccine to all their citizens. Several European countries have followed suit by announcing booster shots. Most European countries, however, have so far only provided third doses to the most vulnerable. France, England, Austria and Belgium have all announced a booster shot for those with comorbidities and elderly citizens. The United States has announced that all its citizens will be able to be vaccinated a third time with Pfizer.
What are the experts saying?
The World Health Organization has explained that a third dose is not absolutely necessary at this point according to their data. Above all, they appealed to rich countries to wait until the poorest have received at least a first dose before considering booster shots of the vaccine.
What do you think of this booster shot?
