Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine, Additional Efforts to Protect The Body From Coronavirus
The third dose of
the COVID-19 vaccine is considered to maintain and maintain the body's immune
reaction against the coronavirus, especially after a person gets the total amount
of the COVID-19 vaccine.
So far, some research has shown that the COVID-19 booster vaccine can rebuild the body's antibodies, which have decreased and weakened over time. So, the body can be protected from COVID-19 longer after getting the third vaccine.
Does Everyone Need to Get the Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine?
Although the
third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is considered adequate to strengthen the
body's immunity in warding off various variants of coronavirus mutations, this
booster vaccine has not been intended for the entire community.
This is because
the limited number of vaccines is still an obstacle, so many people in
Indonesia have not received the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, the
Indonesian government has allowed the COVID-19 booster vaccine for groups at
high risk of exposure to COVID-19, namely health workers.
Meanwhile, for
the general public, the Ministry of Health still prioritizes the provision of
the COVID-19 vaccine total dose is given 2 times.
Various studies
so far have shown that both people who only received the total dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the group who got the third
dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after completing the previous COVID-19
vaccination both can be protected and avoid COVID-19, especially severe
COVID-19 symptoms.
So, you don't
have to worry if you haven't gotten the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,
yes.
When should the COVID-19 vaccine be given the third dose?
The types of
booster vaccines for COVID-19 that can
be given are the Sinovac vaccine, Astrazeneca vaccine, Pfizer vaccine, and
Moderna vaccine. Here's the time:
- Sinovac vaccine: at least 6 months
after the second vaccine.
- Astrazenecavaccine: at least 3 months after the second
vaccine.
- Pfizer vaccine: at least 8 months
after the second vaccine.
- Moderna vaccine: at least one month
after the second vaccine.
Can the Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Be Different from Previous Vaccines?
Who states that
ideally, you receive the third dose of the same COVID-19 vaccine as the first
and second doses. That's because giving vaccines of the same type or brand is
considered safer and can reduce the risk of severe side effects.
However, if it is
not possible, for example, due to the limited number of vaccines,
COVID-19 vaccine boosters of different types are still allowed, provided that
the vaccine is the same type.
For example,
people who previously received the Pfizer vaccine can get the Moderna vaccine
for the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is because the two COVID-19
vaccines are both mRNA vaccines.
It is essential
to know that giving booster vaccines can still provide side effects that
are not much different from previous vaccines, such as fatigue, pain, or aches
in the part of the body that is the location of the injection, fever,
drowsiness, and muscle and joint pain.
In addition,
although the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can prolong the effect of
antibody formation or immunity to the coronavirus, you still have to obey the health protocol, namely by constantly washing your hands, wearing
a mask, and staying away from crowds, to prevent transmission.
If you have not
received the COVID-19 vaccine, immediately complete the schedule of giving the
first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine so that your body can form immunity
to COVID-19. If you still have questions about the third dose of the COVID-19
vaccine, you can also consult a
doctor.
