Though some countries have committed to offering COVID-19 booster shots, there are no specific rules for Canada. Quebec is offering booster shots for people who are traveling whose mixed dosage isn't recognized or people who are immunocompromised. Even Ontario and Alberta are offering booster shots for eligible immunocompromised populations.
All these
changes have made people think are booster shots available in Canada and
whether a person should take them. Sadly, there is no one answer.
Expert
Opinions
Some
experts believe that it's too early to tell whether a booster is necessary for
the general population. Other experts say that older and at-risk people usually
have a worse response to vaccines. A few experts also think that the third shot
might be needed for people with a weak immune response.
Lack of
Evidence
There is
also a lack of evidence on booster shot success to know for sure who will need
them and when they will need them. So, there is no clarity on what effect a
third dose might have on a healthy and young person.
WHO's
Take
The World
Health Organization has warned against rolling out boosters until most of the
world population gets their first shot. Data from WHO says that over 4 million
doses have been administered globally, and 80 percent of them went to middle or
high-income countries.
Variants
and Antibodies
Experts
also say that what level of antibodies a person needs is not clear yet. It is
also a fact that the level of antibodies detectable usually differs from person
to person. People who have received cancer treatment or have auto-immune
disorders will have different results too.
T and B
cells play a key role in making antibodies and fighting the virus infection.
Even the variants of COVID-19 that had antibody-evading mutations haven't taken
off the way they were expected to. They have been outdone by the Delta variant,
which doesn't have the antibody-evading mutation.
Preventing
Infections
According
to scientific data, vaccines can protect 60 to 70 percent from infection and
offer up to 90 percent protection against illness and hospitalization.
Evidence
Matters
As per the
evidence collected so far, the COVID-19 vaccines and two shots of them effectively
prevent hospitalizations.
Some
evidence says that older adults who live in long-term care might benefit from a
third dose. Such people are at a higher risk as compared to the older adults
who aren't living in a congregate setting.
Need for
a Different Approach
When it
comes to administering the third dose, many experts believe that there is a
need to have a different approach towards vaccinating similar immunocompromised
populations compared to the general population.
Thinking
Globally
Before
administering the third dose, the governments, like the Canadian government,
also need to remember that many people across the globe haven't even got one
dose. If this inequality continues, new variants will continue to emerge from
these parts of the world.
Read more
about WHO's take on COVID-19 in Canada here.
Also, know the current border measures and requirements here.
-by Shruti , CNS Canadian News Source
Source:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/covid-19-booster-shots-likely-not-needed-for-most-canadians-experts-say-1.5576976