Why should you get a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine?

Vietnam is planning to administer the third dose of the vaccine in late 2021 or early 2022, according to Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long during a question-and-answer session at the second session of the 15th National Assembly on November 11. The Ministry of Health has not yet announced a specific plan for the third dose.

"The third vaccine dose is a booster dose, which should be given after 3 to 6 months. The first two doses are called the basic doses, and the third dose should be given to the elderly, those with underlying diseases, and those at high risk," said Dr. Truong Huu Khanh (epidemiologist, consultant in the Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1).

Associate Professor Do Van Dung (Head of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City), said that there are two types of vaccinations: basic vaccination and booster vaccination. Basic vaccination has one, two or even three injections (depending on the course of each vaccine) to ensure immunity.

In this order, the stitches that repeat after the first stitch are calledreminder. When completing the vaccine course, getting an additional shot to ensure better protection is callednose booster

Thus, with the Covid-19 vaccines that Vietnam is using, the third shot is called a booster shot. "As for vaccines that only require one shot to be sufficient, such as Johnson & Johnson, the second shot is called a booster shot," Associate Professor Dung explained. ReplyVnExpress, a leader of the Ministry of Health also agreed, saying that the third dose should be called a booster dose.

Strategythird dose of vaccinehas beenMany countries implement. Israel was one of the first countries to approve it, helping to end a severe fourth wave of infections. The country vaccinated people over 65 in August, then expanded it to the entire population. As of November 9, nearly 4 million Israelis — more than 42% of the population — had received their third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Nearly 67% of the population (including children) had received at least one dose.

Since September, most European countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Belgium and Austria, have been giving a third dose of vaccine to vulnerable, elderly and immunocompromised people. The main goal of the programme is to prolong protection and reduce the number of severe cases as the weather gets colder.

Since October, China has also begun administering third doses of Covid-19 vaccines to people who have completed their vaccination at least six months ago. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved booster doses of the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

On October 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) also recommended giving the third dose to immunocompromised people. According to SAGE, this group is less likely to respond fully to the vaccine if only given the standard dose and has a high risk of becoming severely ill.

For mRNA vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer, priority is given to people 65 years and older, people 50-64 years old with underlying medical conditions, people 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions, living in long-term care facilities or working in high-risk environments. The third dose is given at least 6 months after the second dose.

For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (1-dose regimen), all people 18 and older are eligible for a second booster dose at least 2 months after the first dose.

The CDC allows for mixed or identical vaccines for first doses. People can choose which vaccine they want in their booster dose.

The agency said the standard Covid-19 vaccine regimen (two doses from Moderna, Pfizer and one dose from Johnson & Johnson) is effective enough to prevent severe Covid-19 or death, even with the more dangerous Delta variant that is widely circulating. However, public health experts have seen the vaccine’s protection wane over time, especially in certain groups of people.

Vietnam also recommends the same.. ReplyVnExpressMinister Nguyen Thanh Long said that next year, the Ministry of Health will also consider giving booster shots to people with underlying medical conditions, the elderly, and people with immunodeficiency... The booster shots are based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Immunization Task Force.

According to Associate Professor Dung, in the elderly, people with underlying diseases or those using vaccines with low efficacy, the ability to maintain immunity is weaker, so the vaccine's effectiveness also decreases over time.

"In this group, the third dose can activate antibodies, helping to increase antibody levels, protecting the body from severe illness and death due to Covid-19," said Dr. Nguyen Hong Ha - Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Infectious Diseases, emphasizing that the third dose of vaccination for these people is necessary.

However, "the third vaccination should consider the local vaccination situation and the amount of vaccine allocated," said Dr. Ha.

At this time, the health sector should still prioritize vaccines to cover two doses on a large scale, then consider giving the third dose to people at risk such as people with weak immunity, the elderly... For example, in many localities, there are still many elderly people who have not received the second dose, so priority should be given to allocating vaccines to these people before giving the third (booster) dose.

As of November 12, the whole country has vaccinated more than 90 million doses, with nearly 84% of people aged 18 and over receiving at least 1 dose; more than 40% of people aged 18 and over receiving 2 doses. Currently, the North is short of 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the Central region needs 5 million more doses, the Central Highlands needs 2.5 million doses, the South is short of 4 million doses - which will be fully allocated by the Ministry of Health this month, ensuring the target by the end of 2021.vaccine coveragefor 70-80% of the population.