Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The spike in cases Covid-19 in a number of countries, and the large number of health workers (nakes) infected with the corona virus makes the emergence of the possibility of being needed vaccine booster or the injection of the third dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
The idea has also been conveyed by the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) which recommends doctors and nurses as well as the Indonesian people to get a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine.
But the plan is still the pros and cons, including for research vaccine companies abroad.
Amid ongoing efforts to vaccinate people, two big questions arise: Will the immune protection against the coronavirus last? Or will people soon need a booster shot?
“Right now, nobody knows if a booster will be needed,” said Kirsten Lyke, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, citing Science News.
But researchers will still research and find out about it. Members of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (ACIP) Advisory Committee are also discussing when the agency will make recommendations for a third dose or booster vaccine.
Most researchers at ACIP agree that more data is needed on the benefits of the booster vaccine before it is finally implemented.
ACIP members agree that an increase in “breakthrough” cases of Covid-19, once a person is fully vaccinated, could be a sign that immunity is waning and a third dose may be needed.
“We are still very careful with booster vaccine breakthroughs, especially for the elderly. It is a mistake to give booster vaccines without adequate information. Does the vaccine improve? And (still) little data on safety,” said ACIP member Sarah Long, citing CNN, Thursday (1/7).
Data collection is carried out so that the benefits of booster vaccines are known in advance before causing unwanted risks.
Researchers and health officials suspect that the immunity to Covid-19 acquired by existing vaccines may diminish over time, perhaps after a year or so. In addition, there is the possibility of not being able to protect against the new corona virus variants that continue to emerge.
How it Works Similar to the Tetanus or Flu Vaccine
A person who is vaccinated may need a booster dose of the vaccine to stay protected from the types of coronavirus and emerging variants. This is similar to when a tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years or a flu vaccine is recommended every year.
William Moss, professor and executive director of the Center for International Vaccine Access at the Johns Hopkin School of Public Health, said many people may be familiar with the tetanus-toxoid vaccine recommended every 10 years, which is judged to be similar to the condition in the future.
“It alerts our immune system, so that if we are ever exposed to that toxin, our immune system will alert and respond very quickly,” Moss explains.
Testing Covid-19 Vaccine Resistance Before Giving Booster
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