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A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to improve, consolidate, and extend protection against infection. Due to the weakening of immunity over time, administration of the third dose of the vaccine allows it to be raised to the desired level. When does the booster start working? Can you get your third dose vaccinated before Christmas?
- The third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine raises immunity, which gradually declines within six months of full vaccination
- The peak level of immunity is achieved 10–14 days after taking the third dose
- The pre-Christmas period may be a good time for a booster vaccination to increase the body’s immunity before meeting with the family
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
What does the third dose of the vaccine give?
The full course of vaccination against COVID-19 allows you to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of a severe course of infection and complications. However, the level of antibodies gradually declines over time, so global and national health organizations recommend taking a third dose of the vaccine, i.e. a booster dose.
When does the third dose of the vaccine start working? According to virologist and immunologist Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, antibody levels begin to rise within days of vaccination. In the case of the mRNA booster, a significant jump in the number of antibodies is observed one week after the administration of the preparation, however the peak level of immunity is achieved after two weeks.
Higher levels of antibodies reduce the risk of coronavirus infection in the majority of the population. Vaccines also reduce the likelihood of severe disease, the need for hospital treatment and death.
Infectious Disease Specialist at South Shore Health Massachusetts Dr. Simone Wildes said the highest levels of antibodies in individuals after a booster dose are observed between days 10 and 14 after the injection. The response to the booster is therefore similar to that of the second dose of the vaccine, as Dr. Barouch emphasizes. After two weeks, the amount of antibodies will start to decline, as with all vaccines, but the advantage of a booster dose is that the levels of antibodies are stabilized.
Also read: Which vaccines protect against the Delta variant? [WE CHECK]
When can you get vaccinated with the third dose?
The third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can be taken in Poland by people over 18 years of age. For the age group 18–49, the possibility of using the booster was opened on November 2. The use of a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine is indicated if six months have passed since the full vaccination (intake of the last dose).
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
Read more: Vaccinations against COVID-19. There is a group that should not take the third dose
Will you make it in time with your third dose before Christmas?
The upcoming holiday season is a good opportunity to decide on a third dose of the vaccine. A family meeting carries an additional risk of transmitting the coronavirus. If taken early enough, it will increase the immunity of the vaccinated person, consolidating and extending the protection against infection and its negative effects.
There are still three weeks left until Christmas, which means that taking the third dose of the vaccine in the next 7-10 days should guarantee a high level of antibodies during the Christmas meeting with the family. In the UK, the health ministry is encouraging citizens to opt for a booster before December 11th.
Read also:
- Is it worth checking if I have antibodies after being vaccinated against COVID-19? The expert explains
- The effectiveness of vaccines declines over time. In one of them, the decline is drastic
- Will the vaccines work for the new Omikron variant?
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