The Doctor Is In by Dr. Adil Manzoor OP/ED
Getting vaccinated is how we can defeat the coronavirus. There are no two ways to it, so don’t get it twisted. The number of vaccinated individuals in the United States is increasing, which is great news. Although the vaccination rate has dragged recently, the US is still in an excellent position regarding vaccinations.
When President Biden came in, he set many goals for vaccine distribution, and it’s fair to say the US has more than exceeded the lofty expectations. It is estimated that more than 70% of the population will have received at least one dose of the vaccine by July 4.
If you’ve ever wondered why there is so much pressure to get the vaccine as soon as you can, it’s because the longer the virus persists, the worse it gets. And I’m not just talking about the deaths and hospitalizations resulting directly from the coronavirus, but that new strains are developing.
New variants of the coronavirus have developed in South Africa, Brazil and are spreading through the world. These variants are either more transmissible or deadlier than the parent virus. If there’s an increased spread of these new strains, the chances of deaths and hospitalizations will also increase. While that’s the immediate threat, it is far from being the only threat.
There is also the possibility of new strains developing from these new strains. We haven’t even figured exactly how to beat these new strains, and there may be newer strains yet. Do you see why there’s so much pressure about getting vaccinated as soon as possible now?
For all the noise that has been made about getting vaccinated, vaccination isn’t absolute. Don’t get me wrong; getting vaccinated will effectively give you the immunity you need to resist the coronavirus, but experts are starting to suggest this immunity will eventually wane. Wait, don’t freak out! At least, not yet.
The coronavirus is a novel virus, and its vaccines are also new. No one knows exactly when the immunity these vaccines provide will wane. In fact, no one knows for sure if the immunity provided will wane. Still, experts worldwide believe it will at some time, including Dr. Fauci and top CDC officials.
I believe at this point, I can introduce you to what a vaccine booster is. Medically, a booster is an extra administration of a vaccine after an earlier dose to serve as a re-exposure to the immunizing antigen. In simple terms, it’s just a way of reactivating immunity, permit me to call it that. The vaccine booster should also protect against new strains.
In light of the emergence of new strains and breakthrough cases, many vaccine companies are releasing boosters for their vaccines. Breakthrough cases are cases that occur even after getting immunized against a particular infection.
Moderna, one of the approved vaccine producers, has developed a booster using the same mRNA technology with which they created the COVID vaccine in the first place. According to their CEO, this is to bolster waning immunity and to protect against new virus mutations. Recent studies and tests have shown that the Moderna booster works.
Again, no one has any idea of the exact time the boosters will be required. But it is refreshing and relieving to know that plans are being made for the future to ensure that the coronavirus doesn’t rear its ugly head and shock us with even worse strains.
Let’s take it one step at a time, though. Our immediate concern now is getting fully vaccinated. Stay safe.
This article was written by Dr. Adil Manzoor DO, a Board Certified Internist & Board Eligible Pediatrician, who works as a Hospitalist, and Emergency Room Physician. He is also the current President of Garden State Street Medicine, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide free preventive and acute urgent care services for the homeless. He is also the co-founder of his own unique medical practice Mobile Medicine NJ.
References
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfellows/2021/06/08/moderna-ceo-says-vaccine-boosters-and-flucovid-combo-shots-are-likely-for-the-future/amp/
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/will-we-need-a-covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-later-this-year#Boosters-are-common
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/05/05/covid-booster-shot-moderna-says-vaccine-generates-promising-immune-response-against-variants.html
