Everything You Need To Know About The Covid-19 Booster Dose

  • postauthorRaj
  • postdateFebruary 7, 2024
  • postreadtime4 min read
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Covid has changed our lives in more ways than we could ever have imagined. Although the last two years have been tainted with uncertainty and despair, it has also been a period of remarkable innovations. Among the many incredible developments was the covid vaccination and booster dose which was developed, tested, authorised, manufactured, and distributed at unprecedented speed.

India’s vaccine rollout

In less than a year after reporting its first case of covid-19, India launched the world’s largest vaccine drive on January 16, 2021. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the rollout of vaccines in the below mentioned phased manner:

  • Health workers
  • Frontline and essential workers
  • Senior citizens and people with comorbidities
  • People over 45 years
  • All adults (above 18 years)

Given a population of more than 1.3 billion, India’s vaccine manufacturing and distribution plan needed to be super ambitious. The country made remarkable progress on this front.

As of March 13, 2022, India had:

  • Total doses administered: 180 crores
  • Fully vaccinated people: 81.1 crores
  • Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 58.8%

Although the Omicron variant of covid-19 proved to be less life threatening than its predecessor, the Delta variant, it was significantly more transmissible. Omicron affected a large number of families, disrupted the reopening of the economy, and caused the loss of several hours of work. The country is now looking forward to the rollout of booster shots of covid-19 vaccines, called precautionary doses

Here are several commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 booster dose

FAQs about the COVID-19 Booster Dose?

Has the booster dose started being administered?

Yes. On January 10, 2022, India began administering the booster dose to healthcare and frontline workers. Followed with individuals above the age of 60 and to people with comorbidities.

Can all senior citizens receive the booster dose?

The precautionary dose is available only for fully vaccinated senior citizens. A person above 60 years of age is eligible for the booster shot:

  • If it has been 39 weeks from the second dose.
  • If the senior has comorbidities.

It’s a good idea to get medical advice before opting for the booster dose.

 Is it mandatory to get a booster dose?

No. It is a precautionary dose and has not yet been made mandatory by the government. However, given the rapid spread of coronavirus, most leading physicians are recommending to take the dose whenever you become eligible. Medical experts believe the booster shot will contribute immensely towards building herd immunity and protect us from severe symptoms from any potential outbreak of the next variant.

 Which vaccines are available in India for the precautionary dose?

Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik Light have received the nod for the booster shot.

Will people below 60 years receive the booster shot?

So far, there is no indication from the government about rolling out covid-19 booster vaccine doses for adults below 60 years of age.

Are there any side effects of the booster shot?

While covid-19 vaccines protect people from severe symptoms, hospitalization and death, they do have some side effects. The most common side-effects include fever, body ache, headache, and fatigue. There may also be swelling at the injection site.

What precautions to take to reduce side-effects of COVID-19?

Experts recommend having a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate sleep. They also advise to avoid alcohol, nicotine and junk food.

Will the booster dose impact the rollout of covid-19 vaccination for children between 15 and 18 years?

No. You can and should get your children between ages 15 to 18 years vaccinated to protect them against covid-19.

Can I get covid-19 even after the recommended vaccine dosage?

As with any other vaccine, the covid-19 vaccines teach our immune system to fight the enemy virus. The body is able to recognize the coronavirus and respond accordingly. Vaccines go a long way in protecting us from the consequences of infection. However, vaccines cannot prevent the spread of infection.

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Let’s be prepared with discounted lab tests

Having fever and body ache? Coughing and feeling fatigued? Even if you’ve got the second dose of the vaccine, it could be covid-19. Although your symptoms may be mild, you can put others at risk, especially children who are not yet vaccinated. It’s a good idea to get yourself tested.

Tests can detect active infection, so that people diagnosed with this can isolate themselves and prevent infection from spreading among their family members or colleagues. There are three forms of testing: diagnosis, screening, and monitoring.

  • Diagnosis: This involves testing the person with symptoms of covid-19.
  • Screening: This involves testing people who may have come in contact with a COVID infected person, displaying no symptoms.
  • Monitoring: This involves follow-up tests to ensure a previously diagnosed person who is no longer positive.

Lab tests can be inconvenient and expensive. But you don’t need to worry, as we’ve got you covered. With the Onsurity app, you can book lab tests online and have samples collected from the comfort of your home. What’s more, you can benefit from attractive discounts.

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