The third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is coming. Can I get it?

Is it necessary to get booster shots for COVID-19 vaccine?

From the international perspective, the world has entered a new wave of infection peak, a few developed countries have approved a third dose of enhanced vaccine. However, it is necessary to pay close attention to the relevant data on whether the strengthening needle is effective. The data can provide reference for China to formulate public epidemic prevention policies.

Domestically, Chinese people are mainly vaccinated with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines from Sinovac and Sinovac. The world's first study on the effectiveness of an inactivated vaccine against a mutant delta strain was published online August 20 in the Weekly Journal of the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study stressed that two doses of inactivated vaccine are needed to provide protection against the Delta strain. Individuals who have completed the first dose should receive the second dose as soon as possible. This means that booster shots are feasible, but only after the entire vaccination process has been completed.

When can the booster shot be administered? Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said on Aug 20: "It is related to the efficiency of the vaccine and the transmission coefficient of the virus. With an effective vaccine rate of about 70 percent, China would need more than 80 percent of its population to be vaccinated to establish an effective herd immunity. "Right now, the vaccine coverage rate in China will probably reach more than 80 percent by the end of this year."

From the time window of vaccination, it is not necessary for the general population that has completed the immunization within one year. China is studying whether booster vaccination should be carried out in immunized people with weak immune function and people engaged in occupations with high exposure risk who have completed immunization for more than 6 to 12 months.

In short, we do not need to worry, our primary task is to complete the first and second injections of vaccination, and do a good job of daily protection, the country will open for us to strengthen the vaccination under the premise of safety.

It takes time to develop protective antibodies against a vaccine; It also takes time for a sufficient proportion of the population to be vaccinated. Therefore, we should not relax our vigilance against COVID-19, and all current prevention and control measures should continue.Wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands are still effective personal protection measures.