Physicians urge community members to get booster dose at the earliest

With the number of Covid-19 cases increasing in different parts of the world including Qatar, physicians are urging the country's population to get the booster dose of the vaccine at the earliest possible.With the latest variant of the virus, Omicron, spreading fast among people, especially those who have not got the booster dose, it is all the more important to get the booster jabs to prevent the spread of the disease and to protect oneself and the community at large, they said. According to a leading physician in the country, Dr Mohan Thomas, the booster dose is a must for long-term protection from the virus. “Booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine helps improve the protection you have from the first two doses. It gives you long-term protection and spares you from becoming seriously ill from Covid-19, if you get infected ,” Dr Thomas told Gulf Times.According to the physician, those who have completed at least six months after the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, should immediately go for the third dose.“A Covid booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the earlier shots begins to decrease over time. Typically, you should get a booster after the immunity from the initial doses naturally starts to wane. The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer," he explained.Dr Thomas noted that in the wake of the threat of the new strain Omicron, it is strongly advisable to take the booster dose which may reduce the severity of the disease, even if one is infected. “However, one has to strictly follow the thumb rule of wearing masks properly, washing hands and face frequently and keeping safe social distance,” he stressed.Dr Thomas also quoted his college mate at All Indian Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, and a renowned medical academic in India, Dr Narinder Kumar Mehra, who feels that there is a possibility that Covid-19 could turn endemic as the Omicron variant, though spreading fast, causes fewer complications than the previous variants."Since a complete eradication of Sars-CoV-2 is out of the question, variants such as Omicron could take us nearer to the realistic goal of the pandemic becomingendemic," said Dr Mehra in an article in a leading English daily in India.According to Dr Deepak Chandramohan, senior physician, Naseem Medical Centre, C-Ring Branch, a booster dose is a necessity to protect the population from waning immunity, several months after getting two doses of vaccine. He encouraged everyone to get the booster dose as it will help prevent the spread of the virus and keep the population free from health complications.“Protection from vaccinations diminish with time. Especially in those who took vaccinations in the early phases or from high risk groups. Boosters complement a waning immunity, shielding against contracting serious illness, developing complications, and help to keep people out of hospitals,” said Dr Chandramohan.He also allayed the fears that the booster dose may cause severe side effects. “ Both Pfizer and Moderna booster trial data shows side effects, if any, mostly resolve in a day or two, requiring only rest and hydration,” he added.