Fourth Shot Not Necessary…Yet
At the same event, ITAGI Chairwoman Prof. Dr. dr. Sri Rezeki, Hadinegoro, Sp.A(K) reports that WHO has recently recommended the administration of booster shots within 4-6 months after obtaining the primary doses. “We are all aware that vaccination lowers the incidence of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. On the other hand, the virus continues to mutate. The booster’s protection does not just benefit the vaccinated person, but also the other people around them. The most vulnerable groups that require extra protection include the elderly, those with comorbidity, and other immune-compromised groups, whether adult, teen, or child,” she said.
“Homologous” booster is of the same platform with the primary Covid-19 vaccination, while “heterologous” booster has a different platform from the primary vaccine, or has the same platform with the primary vaccine but of different brand. Heterologous vaccine may be given as either primary or booster vaccination. This is called “mix and match vaccination schedule”. WHO recommends using EUL (Emergency Use Listing) vaccines – mRNA, viral vector, and sub-unit protein-based vaccines – as heterologous boosters. “Our data shows that CoronaVac heterologous booster vaccine generates a higher antibody response and lasts longer than the homologous booster. This is important, as we recall that the very purpose of administering booster vaccination is to improve and/or restore lowered vaccine effectiveness,” Prof. Sri said.
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Thus is it necessary to provide the fourth dose to the citizens who have had their boosters at least three months ago? “I think not. After all, the most important thing is to increase and perfect the coverage of booster vaccination. Providing the fourth dose while overall booster coverage is low is useless, because it means we only partially protect ourselves while most of the citizens remain unprotected,” Prof. Sri said. (est)