Research by American scientists has shown that the number of antibodies drops drastically six months after vaccination. This happens most quickly in seniors, which is why experts believe that they should receive a booster dose of the vaccine first. Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski commented on the results of the research.
- Older people had the fastest rate of antibodies, indicating that they should be the first to receive a booster dose and as soon as possible.
- The Polish Ministry of Health decided that the additional dose is for now only intended for people with weakened immunity
- – Certainly, the third dose of vaccination should be given to seniors, chronically ill people and possibly health care workers – emphasizes Dr. Grzesiowski
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Researchers tested blood samples from 120 Ohio nursing home residents and 92 health care workers. All of these people were vaccinated with a Pfizer vaccine. Six months after full vaccination, the antibody level dropped by more than 80%. Both seniors (median age 76) and their caregivers (median age 48) had the same mean antibody titer. Only in the elderly did the number of antibodies begin to decline as early as two weeks after taking the second dose of Pfizer. These results suggest that the elderly and the chronically ill should receive a booster dose of the vaccine.
The third dose of the vaccine. «Too early to sound the alarm»
Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, pediatrician, immunologist and expert of the Supreme Medical Council for the fight against COVID-19 comments on the results of the research for WP abcZdrowie. – Too early to sound the alarm. These are only the first research results that tell us about the persistence of the vaccine response. This immunity seems to decline over time, but there’s not much else we can say about it. At the moment, we do not even know what level of antibodies can be considered to protect against coronavirus infection – says Dr. Grzesiowski.
- See also: How to protect children returning to school? Important advice from a pediatrician
The doctor believes that the step taken by Israel and the United States of immunization with a booster dose is exaggerated. And he marks: – Certainly, the third dose of vaccination should be given to seniors, chronically ill people and possibly health care workers, because they are still in contact with the sick. These people should already be included in the group of patients eligible for the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Third dose for seniors
The Ministry of Health has issued a different recommendation: a booster dose for now will only be for immunocompromised people. According to experts, seniors and chronically ill people should also be taken into account – they are the ones suffering from COVID-19 the most. – Many variables remain unexplained. Some say vaccinations should take place in the 75+ age group, while others say it should be 65+. We still do not have conclusive data on when the aging process of the immune system begins. Therefore, we are waiting for further research – explains Dr. Grzesiowski.
Prof. Robert Flisiak, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Bialystok, president of the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Diseases Doctors and a member of the Medical Council at the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland also thinks that seniors should be accosted first. – The conclusion is obvious. If we are to give a booster dose to someone, apart from people with immunodeficiency, for whom a decision has already been made, it should be people over 70 years of age. I think that the use of a booster dose in this group is only a matter of time – emphasizes Prof. Flisiak quoted by WP.
Dr. Grzesiowski also points out that vaccines protect us, even if the number of antibodies decreases. The Delta variant is indicated as the decisive factor for the lower effectiveness of the vaccines. The expert emphasizes that «vaccines retain more than 90 percent. effectiveness in preventing death from COVID-19 ».
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.
See also:
- Experts: don’t be afraid of the third dose, it won’t hurt anyone
- How long do vaccines protect? Disturbing research results
- The role of masks is growing. Infector: the situation has changed. What does it mean?
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