With booster shots in Singapore slated to begin for seniors and those who are immunocompromised, it’s time for the rest of us to look forward and think of how things are going to be. Whether you like it or not, it seems like getting vaccinated is not the endgame most of us thought that it would be.
With a booster shot coming about 6 months after the 2nd dose, most of us are girding up for the fact that we’ll be needing another one in about 6 months. I took my second dose at the end of July, which means I’m looking at a February shot if things proceed like they are now.
I’m going for my third shot if offered (and I suggest you do too!) but I’ve been reading fierce opposition online (from a couple of international and local sites and Facebook pages) from those who’ve gotten their first two jabs but are against going for their booster shots in Singapore or elsewhere.
That strikes me as illogical…at first but the more I looked, the more I found that some of their worries have merit, even if they’re in error.
One of the reasons; fear of being massively sick again.
I don’t know about you, but the second shot of the Moderna vaccine knocked me out for nearly a week. I had fever, chills and a killer headache that wouldn’t relent for a while…and those are considered relatively manageable side effects.
Those who are against the third dose are afraid of the cumulative effects vaccines might have on their bodies, basing their experiences on their first two jabs. From their viewpoint, the effects get worse the more jabs they get.
Nobody really got laid out bad with the first shot of any vaccine but most did feel the effects with the second shot. Following that train of thinking, wouldn’t a third shot be even worse than the second?
Fortunately, medical experts have weighed in on that and the general consensus is that the side effects that you might get are going to be pretty much similar to what you encountered for your second dose or even better!
Now, these aren’t theories or hypothesis. They’re based off the data gained from Israel and other countries that have started their 3rd vaccine boosters. That means if you’re offered boosters shots in Singapore (or elsewhere), take it.
Another reason people seem to be against a booster shot is what it implies.
By the very wording itself, a booster shot means that it’s an add-on to the initial jabs. To some people, it has negative connotations; it means that it will be a regular thing. Coupled that with the issue I mentioned above and you can easily see why a ton of people (especially those who had bad side effects) are hesitating.
Here are the facts…the signs point to yes.
Booster shots will most likely be a regular thing, just like flu injections currently are. As long as Covid-19 (and its Delta variant) is still as contagious, pumping in boosters to the population to keep infection rates under control is still going to be a thing.
In fact, while the rest of the world are just gearing for a third dose, Israel is already making plans for a fourth dose. That’s due to Covid-19 being an endemic, it’ll be with us for a while yet. Until a cure is found or a vaccine with a 100% efficacy rate (which is highly unlikely), the virus will still be infecting people.
So yes, those who fear the booster shots will be a thing we have to live with are right. Chances are, it’s going to be a major requirement for travel from next year onwards. No booster shots (or recently vaccinated proof), no travel.
The only thing we need to know right now is whether a booster shot prolongs the vaccine efficacy rate after the current drop-off of 5 – 6 months. If it doesn’t, then we all might be looking at a bi-annual Covid-19 booster from next year onwards.
The hope is a booster shot will aid those already vaccinated by extending the drop-off rate to a longer period (8 months is the projected timeline for another dose), though no concrete data yet exists to make a determination at this point.
Whatever the case is…the bottom line is this; say yes when you’re offered booster shots in Singapore.
If you’ve taken the first two shots, all the booster shots in the world won’t kill your or give you side effects you’ve not already experienced (and survived).
Don’t just do it for yourself, do it for the greater community and your families.