Booster vaccines are used to boost immunity against specific diseases. They are especially useful for children who have missed their regular vaccinations. The details of booster vaccines are provided here.
What is a Booster Vaccine?
Vaccines help protect against certain viruses and bacteria. Often, a single dose or the course of these vaccines is not sufficient for a particular disease. Viruses keep mutating (changing) over time and thus the vaccines given are not effective enough. An extra shot is needed and it is also used to immunize against diseases that may have been missed in childhood. In case of bacterial infections, a booster dose helps activate the immune system to fight against those particular bacteria or virus.
Booster vaccines are given to people to help keep them healthy by protecting them against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, etc.
How do Booster Doses work?
Booster doses contain the disease-causing bacteria or viruses in a very weakened form or are made of a transformed genetic blueprint of the germ. The booster shot once given triggers the antibodies in the immune system to protect the body from a specific invader and that’s how the immune cells get activated and attack foreign organisms. Thus, the immune system remembers these organisms and at any time in the future, if the body is attacked by the disease, the body’s immune system gets activated to fight against this known foreign organism. The gap between the doses and boosters depends upon the type of vaccine and the manufacturer.
Who Needs to Have a Booster Shot?
Booster shots are generally recommended for people who are at an increased risk of certain diseases or infections. There are various factors to consider when deciding on these shots such as age, type of infection or disease, and the precautionary requirement in the case of kids and pregnant women.
Normally children require boosters for Hepatitis A and B, MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella), Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), Typhoid, Cholera, and Varicella.
Adults require a booster dose of Tdap, MMR, Pneumonia, Varicella, Shingles, Typhoid, Cholera, and Covid.
Pregnant women are vaccinated as per the advice of the doctor at a particular gestation period.
There are different types of booster shots available, and not everyone needs to have one. This includes people who are immunocompromised or have chronic health conditions, pregnant women, health workers, those who travel excessively due to work or lifestyle, etc.
In case of any doubt regarding a booster shot, one should talk to the concerned doctor or a general physician. They can help to clarify whether there is an increased risk of any diseases or infections and whether a booster shot is right for a person.
When Should a Booster Shot Be Taken?
The timing of a booster shot can vary depending on the disease that it is meant to protect against. There are different types of booster shots, and when they should be given depends on the person’s age, health, and type of vaccine.
Certain booster shots, such as the flu vaccine, are typically given every year. Others, such as the tetanus vaccine, are usually given every 10 years. Some people may need to get a booster shot more often if they have a weakened immune system or are at a higher risk for a certain disease.
Types of Booster Vaccines
There are two types of booster vaccines- those that contain live viruses and those that contain engineered viruses. The live virus vaccine, such as the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccine, is given to people who are susceptible to the disease. It works by exposing the body to a weakened form of the virus. This exposure causes the body to produce antibodies to fight the virus, and over time, these antibodies become stronger and more effective.
The engineered virus vaccine, such as the polio vaccine, is given to people who have been vaccinated before and need a booster. They work by injecting the body with a small amount of the virus. This helps the body to generate immunity to the virus without causing the disease. Booster vaccines are usually given to people who are at risk of exposure to the virus, such as healthcare workers or people who travel to areas where the disease is common.
Both types of booster vaccines are safe and effective. However, natural booster vaccines are typically more effective than artificial booster vaccines.
Booster Vaccines and Their Impact
Booster vaccines help protect against serious and life-threatening illnesses such as whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. They are usually given as a shot and at the ages of 4-6 years, 11-12 years, 16-18 years, and to adults for various diseases. Check with the child’s doctor to make sure they are up-to-date on their booster vaccines.
There is a lot of debate surrounding booster vaccines, with some people claiming that they can cause serious side effects. However, the truth is that booster vaccines are generally safe and well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being mild and temporary.
Some of the more common side effects of booster vaccines include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, fatigue, and headache. However, these side effects are usually mild allergic reactions and vanish within a few days.
If anyone is concerned about the side effects of booster vaccines, they must talk to the healthcare provider. They can help weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination and make a decision that is right for any individual.
Conclusion
A booster vaccine is a dose of vaccine given after the primary series to increase or reinforce the immunity induced by the primary series. The impact of booster shots has been established in various diseases, Different booster doses can be taken, but the dose and schedule will depend on the type of vaccine, disease, and also manufacturer. Visit a doctor to know all the details to ensure a healthy future.