Infectious diseases experts favor third dose for protection against new strains

"The third dose of the coronavirus vaccine is considered important all over the world today. Researches in this area also suggest that it is advisable to inject a booster dose,” Farrukh Sadirov, an infectious disease specialist and head of the coronavirus treatment department at Clinical Medical Center No. 1, told Report.

In his opinion, the level of protection, which reaches its maximum shortly after vaccination, may weaken over time: “People vaccinated with both doses are at risk of contracting new strains of the coronavirus. Therefore, the purchase of booster dose should be accelerated. The booster dose aims to reactivate the immune response and thus increase the efficiency of the vaccine.”

He noted that booster dosing is recommended in countries around the world for protection against new strains of the coronavirus. "The booster dose can prevent mild infections and reduce the spread of the virus, as well as hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19. The third dose boosts antibodies that fight the virus three times more than previous doses. These antibodies are strong against coronavirus strains. The third dose restores strong protection against the virus.”

"Scientific researches and analysis show that a booster dose plays an effective role in preventing infection. In particular, Pfizer vaccine provides high protection. In many countries, as well as in Azerbaijan, the booster dose is considered appropriate and important, especially for those at high risk (health workers, people over 50, people with chronic diseases). No serious adverse effects of the booster dose on human health have been registered. Even studies have shown that those who received the booster dose have an 11-fold increase in protection against infection and a 19-fold increase in protection against complications. Irrespective of the first two doses, a citizen can use the third dose after 6 months and the fourth dose after a certain interval of any type of vaccine," Sadirov added.

Infectious disease specialist Vasif Aliyev also told Report about the importance of the third dose of vaccine: "People at risk lose the effect of the vaccine after a certain period of time. After about six months, the amount of antibodies in the blood gradually decreases, and as a result, our body becomes vulnerable to disease. This, in turn, accelerates the likelihood of infection. Therefore, it is necessary to inject a reminder booster dose. Citizens can take the third dose as easily as they took the second dose.”

"The need for the third dose of vaccine in Azerbaijan can also be justified by the spread of seasonal diseases in the fall, the weakening of human immune systems due to climate change. Although the booster dose has nothing to do with the season, it can be dangerous to increase the number of infections simply because more people come together indoors in cold weather. Completing the third dose of a safer but relatively less effective vaccine also helps to increase the effect of the vaccine, and reduces the risk in terms of side effects," he said.

The infectious disease specialist also described the epidemiological situation in the country: “Currently, there is a decrease in the number of infections. However, it should be borne in mind that the pandemic is still ongoing, and many restrictions have been removed. We need to be more careful at this point. The fall in the number of infections should not reassure us. Therefore, precautionary measures must be observed. Without mass protection, a new wave of the disease may be inevitable.”

To date, 8,841,520 doses of vaccine have been administered in Azerbaijan. The number of vaccines given in the first stage was 4,837,342, and in the second stage - 4,004,178.