It was an ordinary day. Put my mask on and heading in the door for a visit with my urologist. Had the appointment scheduled six months ago, during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak. Since that time I have received both of my vaccine injections and feel fairly safe that I will not get the virus. But, will everyone who has had their vaccinations need an annual booster such as the yearly flu vaccination we get every year? An article I read a few days ago was titled "Why annual COVID-19 boosters may become the norm." It begins by telling me that to keep the coronavirus in check and stay ahead of new variants, people may need yearly shots like they do for the flu. Even though those who have been vaccinated already can feel a bit more safe than they did before the vaccination, it is debated whether one round of shots is enough, or if they'll need another yearly shot...and another...etc. The protection that we received with the double dose of vaccine is said to prevent us from getting the virus, but just how long will that last? Since the virus struck in late 2019, the virus has continued to mutate, yielding variants similar to versions of the virus, but with perhaps the potential to be more infectious, deadly and escape the antibody safeguards provided by the existing COVID-19 vaccine. Medical scientists are trying to stay ahead of the evolution by creating new vaccine shots to beat back the variants. That means we will need perhaps yearly routine COVID-19 shots for the rest of our lifetime.
 |
| Will you be ready for a booster shot, if necessary? |
So, exactly what is a booster? It is a repeat shot similar to what we just got, but with a new virus-fighting antigen which is a molecule that prompts antibody production that creates a greater and more long lasting immune response. Same thing as the shingles vaccine which is recommended for all healthy adults over the age of 50. Both Carol and I have had shingles, mine being a large, still visible scar from my waist to my ankle on my right leg. A story which I recently read said that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines include an initial dose and a second shot three or four weeks later. Recently Pfizer launched a study of a third dose to be given 12 months after the initial dose. But, they are still not sure how long the initial dose will last. How can you determine that fact? Do you have to wait a year and see if people begin to get the virus once again? Well, researchers believe the initial dose will last at least 6 months, but it may last much longer. Maybe the vaccine will be like the tetanus vaccine that is given which is said to last about 10 years before you should get another one to maintain it's effectiveness. And...do we need a new booster for each variant of the COVID-19? So far, the existing vaccines have proven to provide protection against the variants, but it hasn't been that long ago that we got the shots. A Georgetown University Medical Center specialist believes we will need additional shots to help boost immunity or target specific future variants. Seems it's a constant battle of the scientific minds and our opponent is COVID-19. If you had your first two shots will you be willing to get another shot in a year? I certainly will! With all the other things wrong with me, the last thing I need is for the virus to come back and enter my body and not be beaten to death by the vaccine. Do you really want to chance not getting a shot and dying from it? I'm not willing to give the virus a chance to do that to me and if the only way to stop it is through a yearly vaccine shot...I'm ready for the needle. I know that some people have medical and religious reasons why they don't want a shot, but you can't go to church if you're dead! If I am told I need a booster, I'll be in the front of the line! Will you be there with me? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
No comments:
Post a Comment