As the government successfully implements a simultaneous immunization program for healthcare personnel, the elderly, and persons with comorbidities. They earlier stated that they will begin the procedure of injecting the booster doses for A2 and A3 for certain vaccine recipients.
At least initially, local governments will need to prioritize distribution to specific demographics because of its limited supplies, as an initiative they will be handing out booster doses for A2 and A3 first.
People with occupational, demographic, or health characteristics that place them at high risk of exposure or significant disease might be included in this category. Finally, the government agreed to prioritize booster doses for A2 and A3 also known as older citizens (A2) and persons with comorbidities (A3).
Why booster doses is significant?
Booster Shoots are considered the third dosage of Covid-19 Vaccines that will help you maintain or “boost” your viral immunity. This will be quite beneficial, for individuals that have received their 2nd dose of vaccine, because the degree of protection we gain from vaccinations reduces over time. As a result, a third/booster dosage, also known as a “Booster Shot,” is required. You should also read Covid Vaccine Booster Shot for in-depth details about booster shots.
Why you should get a booster shot if you fall under the category of A2 and A3?
Covid-19 continues to develop more and more variety rendering it to become much more fatal and faster transmission to infect others, and with the vaccine’s fading effectiveness over time, it is vital to have a booster dose to improve the efficacy of its positive effect especially for individuals with weaker immune system. For more information about different variants of Covid-19 visit: What you need to know about Covid-19 Delta Variant and about Covid-19 Lambda Variant.
Vaccines operate in a variety of ways, benefiting both the person and the society.
It provides a clear individual advantage of preventing illness in the person who has been vaccinated., on the other hand, can limit the quantity of virus a person produces if they do become sick. This can lessen the severity of their illness as well as their risk of spreading the infection to others.
All of this has a positive impact on the community. Our collective (or herd) immunity can be employed as a fire barrier if vaccination uptake is strong enough and transmission is limited. It stops viral transmission channels and protects vulnerable persons from infection, even if they haven’t been vaccinated.
And to prolong the viral immunization effects of the vaccines especially for stronger variants of Covid-19, booster doses for A2 and A3 is the first step needed by the government to strengthen the community’s overall immunization.
When you are qualified for booster doses for A2 and A3, here are some vaccine guidelines you need to consider:
1. Pfizer
Qualification:
- Adults aged 18 and over who had two doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.
- Adults aged 18 and over who have received two doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccination during the last six months.
- Adults 18 and older who had the single-shot COVID-19 immunization from Johnson & Johnson at least two months ago.
Side Effects
The booster from Pfizer has the same recipe and dose as the previous two injections in the series. And, according to scientific study data, the negative effects are comparable to those that many people had the first time around, with the most prevalent being:
- Pain at the injection location
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Chills
The intensity of these symptoms is usually mild to moderate, and they normally go away within a few days. Over 228 million Americans have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, and no long-term negative effects have been reported, according to the CDC.
Rare Side Effects
More significant side effects are possible, although they are uncommon. One example is anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response. After getting vaccinated against COVID-19, a limited percentage of persons have reported this. Anaphylaxis, on the other hand, can occur with any immunization, and vaccine providers should be ready to manage it swiftly.
The mRNA vaccines have been associated to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart) (Pfizer and Moderna). Males under the age of 30 have been the most commonly reported cases, with the second dosage being the most common. Symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a racing, fluttering, or pounding heart may appear many days after immunization. Experts emphasize that these occurrences are uncommon, and that patients normally recover swiftly with medical attention and relaxation.
Am I allowed to get boosters by another vaccine brand?
Yes. According to current FDA and CDC recommendations, if you qualify for Pfizer’s booster but don’t have access to it or wish to receive a booster from Moderna or J&J, that is an alternative.
While boosters from all three manufacturers (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J) increase antibody levels, preliminary findings from a federally funded study reveal that getting boosted with vaccination from a third manufacturer can have a more significant effect on the immune response. Furthermore, the study found that mixing and matching had no new or worrying adverse effects.
2. Moderna
Qualifications:
- Adults aged 18 and over who had two doses of Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.
- Adults aged 18 and over who have received two doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccination during the last six months.
Adults 18 and older who had the single-shot COVID-19 immunization from Johnson & Johnson at least two months ago.
Side Effects
The booster shot from Moderna differs from those from Pfizer and J&J since it contains half the dosage (50 micrograms) of the original immunization.
Even still, studies reveal that the negative effects of this lower dose are identical to those reported by many people following injections one and two in the series, the most prevalent of which are:
- Pain at the injection location
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Joint discomfort
Rare Side Effects
Moderna’s vaccination has been related to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart), just as Pfizer’s. These occurrences are uncommon, occurring predominantly in young males (30 and younger) following the second immunization dosage.
Other major adverse effects, such as anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can occur after any immunization, are possible but uncommon.
Am I allowed to get boosters by another vaccine brand?
Yes.
3. Johnson & Johnson
Qualifications:
- Adults aged 18 and older who have received the J&J vaccination, commonly known as the Janssen vaccine, during the previous two months.
- People aged 18 and above who have been vaccinated with either Pfizer’s or Moderna’s vaccine for at least six months.
Side Effects
Following the J&J booster, several clinical trial participants had mild to severe adverse effects, similar to those described by Pfizer and Moderna. The most prevalent were:
- Pain at the injection location
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Nausea
Rare Side Effects
The J&J vaccination has been linked to an uncommon condition known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). According to the CDC, the majority of cases of this dangerous illness, which involves blood clots and low platelets, have occurred in women under the age of 50. The vaccination’s benefits still exceed the dangers, according to health experts, but young women “should be informed of the uncommon but elevated risk of this adverse event, and they should be aware of other available COVID-19 vaccine choices for which this risk has not been seen.”
Am I allowed to get boosters by another vaccine brand?
Yes.
Conclusions
It’s important to remember that a vaccination won’t be a cure. Vaccines are not 100 percent effective, and their effect will take time to activate and it will also reduce its efficacy over time. That is why vaccine booster is implemented by the government, to prolong the said effects of the vaccine to improve our immunity. For a long time, public health measures like thorough testing, hand-washing, mask-wearing, and maintaining social distance will be crucial. So if you are a senior citizen and person with certain underlying medical conditions, you should still be vigilant and extra careful even if you are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot.
If you should visit BRIA HOMES community, we are proud to inform you that, here in BRIA, we follow government safety health protocols. You may have a worry less visit and inquire about our affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units catered for ordinary Filipino families.
Written by Aaron Cruz
