Why 60 plus people should get their COVID-19 booster doses; people who should consult their doctors and side effects to watch out for

The Union Health Ministry on Monday announced that COVID-19 vaccination for children 12 to 14 and 'precaution' booster dose for all above 60 years of age will begin on March 16. The health ministry also specified that unlike earlier, the condition of co-morbidity for Covid precaution dose for population over 60 years of age will be removed forthwith.

“Hence, from 16th March 2022 onwards, the entire population above 60 years of age will be eligible for Precaution Dose of COVID19 vaccine," it added.

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The latest COVID-19 vaccination updates have come at a time when the number of coronavirus cases in the country have dropped considerably. However, given the unpredictability of the SARs-COV-2 virus and the fact that new variants may emerge time and again, booster vaccines continue to be essential.

Booster shots as the name itself suggests helps boost the body's immune defences. It helps re-expose your immune system to the viral pathogen, the memory of which may have diminished over time. Hence, it trains the body to identify the virus so as to fight it later at the occurrence of a real infection.

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Given that over a year has passed by since certain groups of people including healthcare workers and older adults received their previous COVID-19 vaccine doses - much before the rest of the population - now could be the time when vaccine-induced immunity for them could fast wane and put them at risk again.

When it comes to people above 60 years of age, many of them could be prone to severe illnesses. People belonging to this age group could either be at the risk of underlying health conditions or have frail and weak immune defences, which is why the protection from the two previous doses could have waned.

Additionally, elderlies suffering from pre-existing comorbidities are at a greater risk threshold. The Ministry of of health and family welfare (MOHFW) states, "Elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

"Also, the course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderlies resulting in higher mortality," it adds.

That said, receiving booster shots will not only help ramp up their immune system, but it will also protect them from severe disease and hospitalization. However, there's always a chance of contracting the infection.

Over a year has passed by since we were introduced to the wide range of vaccine options against the novel coronavirus. Although in the beginning, those with pre-existing comorbidities were restricted from taking their COVID-19 vaccines for safety concerns, experts and medical professionals have now provided a clean chit for everyone, except of course children.

According to leading doctors, underlying conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory and pulmonary disorders, vascular complications, kidney or renal failure, cancer, chronic immuno-suppressant conditions would rather expose a person to severe COVID-19 infection, which is why vaccination should be prioritized.

However, in certain cases where a person has a history of anaphylactic or allergic reactions to previous vaccine doses, to certain drugs, therapies or even food items, one must first consult a doctor before scheduling a booster vaccine. Furthermore, people who are under treatment for other chronic illnesses must also consult your doctors about receiving your booster shots.

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Some of the most common side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are fever, chills, fatigue and pain at the injection site. Some may also develop body aches and pains. While vaccine side effects may take a toll on your body, it is harmless and diminishes over a period of a day or two.

People who receive their COVID shot may be prone to mild side effects. However, developing symptoms does not mean you have contracted an infection, rather it indicates that your body's immune system has begun to recognize the viral pathogen, a fragment that mimics the actual spike protein of SARs-COV-2 virus and has started to produce antibodies to fight the infections in the future.