The global pandemic from COVID-19 has continued to alter lives and the world we live in. Scientists and health professionals have worked endlessly to create a vaccine that would put an end to the pandemic; finally, in early January of 2021, vaccines were administered. On January 5, Moderna announced that they would be producing 600 million vaccine doses, and three days later, Biden announced that he will rapidly release most COVID-19 doses. They began distributing the vaccines to those with underlying health conditions, and to the elderly and essential workers. With time, the vaccines have been distributed to almost all people who want one; that being said, tensions continue between people in support of vaccines and those against them.
In August of 2021, talk regarding booster shots started. The U.S. government had planned to make booster shots widely available come mid-September. The booster shots were original to only be given to those who had received a two-dose vaccine, but U.S. health officials have claimed that they believe that those who received Johnson & Johnson, the single-dose vaccination, will also need booster shots in the near future. Similar to the first vaccinations, the booster shot will first be prioritized for healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and those with compromising health conditions who got the vaccine early last year.
While some people are adamant about getting vaccinations, some people are wary and concerned about injecting themselves with “unknown” medicine. A myriad of doctors, scientists, and healthcare professionals have continuously worked on the vaccine, and there is an abundance of research evidence to support the necessity of vaccinations. However, some are still stubborn in their refusal to be vaccinated. Thus, booster shots will lead to some being overly protected from vaccines while some remain susceptible to getting and spreading the virus. After approximately six months of receiving a vaccination, there is evidence that the effectiveness of the vaccine may begin to wear off. For this reason, it is evident that booster shots are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and stop the virus from warping into numerous different variants. Officials such as Anthony Fauci, heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health, all claim that the shots have been “remarkably effective” in decreasing the number of those hospitalized and or dead from the virus. Officials stated, "We conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.”
It is important to consider the necessity of booster shots, and how they will contribute to an overall improvement for the country’s status regarding the pandemic. Doses are on their way, and being distributed quickly. Vaccinations are a vital step in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and decreasing the major effects that are impacting lives everywhere. All people should consider being vaccinated to bring an end to the pandemic one shot at a time.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/10/why-young-healthy-people-should-get-covid-vaccine-booster-shots.html