NICD COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose FAQs : National Institute For Communicable Diseases

NICD COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose FAQs : National Institute For Communicable Diseases

Organisation : The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)

Facility Name : COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose/Shot FAQs

Country : South Africa

Website : https://www.nicd.ac.za/covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-frequently-asked-questions/

What is Booster Dose?

Booster doses are the same vaccine in the same dose administered to people who have had a primary vaccination series and are administered to allow the body to boost its immunity to the COVID-19 virus. Pfizer booster vaccinations to anyone who received their last dose at least 6 months since the second primary dose. The recommended interval is after 2 months but preferably before 6 months from the primary dose.

FAQs On COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs On COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot/Dose

1. Why should I get vaccinated if the vaccine already needs a booster shot to protect me? Are vaccines not effective?

Vaccines have been shown in controlled trials and in the evaluation of national vaccination programmes (e.g. United Kingdom) to reduce severe disease and mortality by up to 95-97%. This lifesaving effect has continued, even as variants have emerged.

Taking a vaccine will protect you and your loved ones from a devastating illness and/or death. Recently, vaccines have also been shown to reduce transmission of COVID-19 from one person to another. As early as the first clinical trials, vaccines have been shown to reduce but not prevent mild to moderate illness.

As COVID variants has emerged, laboratory research has shown that protection against COVID-19 is related to antibody levels. Booster vaccination with the JnJ or Pfizer vaccine is a reliable and safe way of increasing antibody levels.

2. Why are booster shots recommended?

Booster vaccination increases antibody levels and ‘T-cell responses’ to SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory testing has shown that high antibody levels are more effective at neutralising variants of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore booster vaccines are helpful to improve protection from infection, especially during the fourth wave which is predominantly due to the Omicron variant.

3. Are booster shots safe?

Side effects of booster vaccines are similar to side effects from a first vaccine. Common side effects include tiredness, body aches, and pains, low-grade fever, pain at the injection site. Persons who have a booster vaccine may experience these common side effects more frequently. These side effects resolve completely within 24-48 hours.

Occasionally, very rare side effects (for example, myocarditis, which may occur at 12.6 cases/million doses of Pfizer vaccine) may occur slightly more frequently after a second (or booster) vaccine. If you have experienced any side effects after your first vaccine, you should report the side effect on the MedSafety app (see https://aefi-reporting.sahpra.org.za/ , and discuss the need for a booster with your health care provider.

4. Who should get a booster shot, and when?

Presently, only health care workers who received the JnJ vaccine are eligible for a booster, if they choose to enroll in the Sisonke trial. Persons aged 12-17 should receive a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine to complete the vaccination series.

It is expected that the National Department of Health will shortly all and encourage boosters for persons who have received the Pfizer and JnJ vaccines. Persons who have received a complete vaccine series (two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and a single dose of the JnJ vaccine) will be eligible for a booster vaccine 6 months after receiving their last vaccine dose.

5. Can you mix and match vaccines?

Presently in South Africa, SAHRPA has not licenced mix and match vaccines. However, there is good evidence that mix and match vaccines are just as effective (and sometimes better) at increasing antibody levels. SAHRPA has requested submission of evidence to support a ‘mix-and-match’ approach, so watch their website for updates.

6. Will a booster help against omicron?

Yes. There is good evidence that booster vaccination increases antibody levels to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and that higher antibody levels offer more protection against variants, including Omicron.

7. What if I’m immunocompromised, does the timing of the third shot differ?

Persons who are immunocompromised should receive an additional Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson vaccine dose at least 28 days after receiving their last dose. Persons who are immunocompromised should be referred by their doctor for a booster dose

Presently, persons are considered immunocompromised if they have:

** Haematological or immune malignancy

** Moderate to Severe Primary immunodeficiency disorder

** HIV infection with CD4 count < 200 cells/µL within the last 6 months

** Asplenia

Individuals receiving the following treatments:

** High dose steroids or systemic biologics (e.g. for autoimmune conditions)

** Long term renal dialysis

** Transplant recipients (Solid organ or bone marrow)

The additional vaccine dose should be of the same vaccine type as the initial dose (or doses).