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Why should you get a Covid-19 booster vaccination?

Over time the COVID vaccine immunity is waning. If too much time passes between your 2nd vaccination and the booster shot, your protection may be less effective against serious illness, when you get infected. If authorities offer the possibility to get the booster shot, please accept it in consultation with your physician.

Do not refuse on grounds of existing high antibody levels, as there is no information available which antibody level is safe. Currently available information shows that double vaccination may not offer good protection against the Omicron variant (currently the predominant variant in our region) but 3 doses increase the protection.  
Your physician will determine the best timeframe for getting the booster shot according to local regulations. 

 

Frequently asked questions: 

  • Are booster shots done with the same vaccine? 
    No, not necessarily. Health authorities will offer the best available choice of vaccine based on immunology and logistic (availability) considerations. 

  • What are the risks of getting a booster shot? 
    When getting your booster vaccination, you may experience similar side effects as with the previous vaccinations. For example, typical side effects are pain and swelling if the injection site, tiredness, headache. As with the previous vaccinations, serious side effects are rare. Your physician will discuss potential risks & side effects with you. 

  • When will the booster shot provide protection? 
    After you receive a vaccination, your body will need some time to create the immune response. This is the same for the booster vaccination. It is expected to take between 7 to 12 days to develop an immune response. In any case, as vaccinations do not offer 100% protection, please continue to wear masks, keep social distance and perform hand hygiene regularly. 

  • Does the booster shot still protect me from the new Omicron variant? 
    The Omicron variant has significantly mutated in the spike proteins from the previous variants, which makes it easier for this variant to connect to our cells and makes it more contagious. However, it is assumed that the booster vaccination can increase protection against this variant. It is generally not advisable to wait for the omicron specific vaccine to be available, as this may take several months until it becomes available. (When this happens, you may be offered this in addition.) In any case, it remains crucial to continue social distancing, wearing masks and performing hand hygiene. 

 

NOTE: This is only general information and not medical advice. It does not replace the consultation with your physician. It is always required to decide for each individual person if the vaccination is suitable.