Life since Covid has changed drastically. It has been a hectic year and a half, full of attempted cures, vaccines, and precautions taken to prevent contracting the virus. Thankfully, a vaccine came out this past year. Sixty percent of United States citizens have already received the vaccine. And recently, a new booster has been released for extra support and protection against covid. Due to its modernity, there is not much credible information about it. Nonetheless, most scientists and doctors are pushing for the vaccine.
Should you get the booster vaccine? Unfortunately, even though there is a vaccine for covid, it is not 100% protective, and there are new variants of the virus appearing. Any extra help to prevent yourself from getting the virus is excellent, which is precisely what the booster does. It is made up of the same formula as the previous vaccine, except it is only a half dose, which is why it’s called a booster. It is boosting what you already have. But this only applies to adults, as one is not permitted to receive the booster under the age of eighteen. Hopefully, this changes soon as the CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, sent in a request for sixteen and seventeen years old to gain access to the booster. Getting the booster vaccine is an intelligent thing to do if someone wants to stay ahead of the pandemic.
The Delta and Omicron variants are a couple of the most widespread variations of Covid. Many people are wondering if the booster will also grant more immunity against these. Scientists are saying yes! Research from Israel shows that one booster shot given significantly lessens the chance of contracting Covid. Since the vaccine, and now the booster have been released, Covid numbers are staying low, and fewer Covid deaths are occurring. Another important reason people should receive the booster is because over time many things deteriorate, becoming less strong. This could easily happen with the vaccine, especially if someone was vaccinated a long time ago. The booster keeps the fight fresh and strong.
The only possible negative to the whole booster vaccine is how often it will be needed. Is it going to have to be readministered every month, few months, a year? This cannot be determined yet as the booster is so new so there is no evidence showing how long it will stay strong for. With luck, it won’t need to be administered again.
Scheck Hillel student, Natalie Esquenazi, said this when asked if she would get the booster vaccine if permitted, “Absolutely yes. I already have gotten the initial vaccine a few months ago and if they allow 16-year-olds to get the booster I would get it right away. It is a matter of protection for myself and others. I see my grandparents and have to protect them too. If getting the booster can give me any extra protection, I’ll take it!”
Another Scheck Hillel Student, Carolina Benun, had a similar response to Natalie, “If 16-year-olds could get the booster, I think I would get it, but I’m not so sure. I just don’t want to keep getting boosters every now and then, that’s annoying. But I probably would deal with it so that I have more protection against Corona.”
Constantly changing and adjusting to the circumstances given is a part of life now with Covid. And at this point in time, getting the booster vaccine is that adjustment. Statistics show that since the vaccine and booster have been released, cases have been going down. So, listen to your doctor and get the booster if possible.