Previously, it was announced that seniors above the age of 59 would need to receive vaccine booster shots.
The roll-out would supposedly kickstart from late September, at least six months after completion of a two-dose vaccination regimen.
After the revelation was made public, thoughts began to swirl in earnest.
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What, then, about younger folks?
Do they need a COVID-19 booster shot as well?
Experts: Most People Don’t Need a COVID-19 Booster Shot Yet
Though opinions may vary, a reputable panel of scientists from around the world has stepped out with their own consensus:
Most people do not need a booster shot.
And the reason behind such a hypothesis?
The sheer effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
Indeed, the experts reasoned that instead of prioritising booster shots for the public, governments may do better with an increased focus on assisting the unvaccinated.
In the medical journal The Lancet, the experts stated that the current COVID-19 vaccines have proven efficient in the fight against the pandemic.
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Also, boosters may come with unknown side effects if introduced too early.
“Even if boosting were eventually shown to decrease the medium-term risk of serious disease, current vaccine supplies could save more lives if used in previously unvaccinated populations,” the authors wrote.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also concurred with the sentiment. Three doctors from WHO had collaborated on the review.
Discouraging the broad use of boosters, WHO stated that it would make more public sense to immunise the unvaccinated instead. In the study, it was unveiled that even in countries with high vaccination rates, unvaccinated people are the ones inciting COVID-19 transmission.
Unvaccinated personnel have also been found to be at a higher risk of falling seriously ill.
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Thus far, vaccination has proven to be around 95% effective against serious diseases, including the variant Delta. It’s also more than 80% effective against any infection.
Singapore
On Monday (6 Sep), our Finance Minister and famous wearer of light-coloured shirts Lawrence Wong made an interesting announcement.
He said that the government is studying the possibility of booster shots for young adults, as it would not only benefit them but help slow down transmission rates as well.
A few days earlier, the authorities announced that booster shots would be offered to moderately-to-severely immunocompromised residents, seniors aged 60 and above, and residents of aged care homes.
While booster shots may be needed for certain vulnerable groups, they may not be especially beneficial for young adults.
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At least that’s what some infectious disease experts here think.
As Professor Dale Fisher, a senior infectious diseases consultant at the National University Hospital, told The Straits Times, the ultimate aim here is to prevent severe disease and death.
Vaccination does this, but not many would benefit from a third jab, he said.
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