What is the COVID booster dose vaccine & who is eligible for the booster dose?
The COVID-19 vaccines have effectively reduced the severity of the infection in patients suffering from COVID-19. However, the vaccines have not made the masses immune to the disease. The booster dose of the vaccine is currently being introduced to improve the human body’s protection against the disease. Instead of calling it a booster dose, you can call it a third dose of the COVID vaccine. The booster dose does not make you immune to COVID; it reduces the possibility of you developing a severe/advanced case of COVID-19 that could prove to be fatal.
With the number of new COVID cases per day rising again, it is safe to say that the third wave of COVID is unofficially here, led by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. It is expected that this variant will be more transmissible than the previous variants and pose an even greater risk towards children than other variants. So far, the symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID have remained very hard to detect because they closely resemble the common cold symptoms.
Given that COVID is still a major health issue and the lakhs of fresh COVID cases that are being reported all around the country every day, it is crucial for you to be updated about vaccination as it is currently the only way for you to prevent and protect yourself from the disease. Here is what’s presently known about the COVID booster dose and the part of the population that is eligible for it.
What Is The COVID Booster Dose Vaccine?
The COVID Booster Dose vaccine can be called the third dose of the COVID vaccine. It does the same job of reducing the possibility of developing a severe COVID infection. In India, it is being called a preventive dose of the vaccine. According to the government updates, the booster dose is currently only available for healthcare and frontline workers and populations above the age of 60. However, preference is given to the part above the age of 60 and suffers from some form of comorbidity.
Who Is Eligible For The Booster Dose?
The conditions laid out by the government for eligibility of the booster dose of vaccines as of January 2022 is that:
The individual must be a registered healthcare or frontline worker or a citizen of India above 60.
The individual must be fully vaccinated for being eligible for the booster dose.
The individual must have completed their full vaccination at least nine months before the date of booster dose administration.
The individual must get the same vaccine they got for their previous vaccinations on their booster dose. People vaccinated with Covishield must get the booster dose of Covishield, and those vaccinated with Covaxin must get the booster dose of Covaxin.
These are the current guidelines on COVID booster dose vaccination as informed by the government. Every eligible citizen must act promptly and register on the CoWin platform for getting their booster dose vaccination. Registering on the CoWin platform can help you cut the cue and avoid the crowd at a vaccination center.
Final Thoughts
The COVID booster dose has seen positive effects in various countries, improving people’s immunity to the virus. However, it would help if you remembered that the booster dose of the COVID vaccine is in no way going to guarantee that you will not be or never be infected from COVID-19. Even after getting the booster dose, it is crucial that people maintain COVID-appropriate behavior, wear a mask whenever outside, and maintain excellent levels of personal hygiene.
In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, you can visit Medipulse hospital for the best COVID booster dose vaccination services. For more information about the vaccination program at the hospital, please feel free to visit the official hospital website.