Many Americans have received booster shots in hopes of staying protected against COVID-19
Since many of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are significantly less protective against new variants of COVID-19, researchers have suggested that a booster will restore protection.
These vaccines were developed to teach the human body to fight COVID-19. Currently, vaccines are not designed to fight heavily-mutated Omicron variants.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.”
Vera Frye, a Gadsden County resident, thinks the booster shot is helpful.
“I think the booster shot is effective and protects to a certain extent,” Frye said. “However, I think we all have to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash up as often as possible. I believe it is now more than necessary for us as a whole society to look at our diet, exercise, and environmental habits to make sure we are doing everything we need to do to keep our immune system healthy.”
Governments worldwide are advising people to take a booster dose to help increase antibody levels to fight COVID-19; This is because antibodies play a significant role in stopping the virus from entering cells and replicating.
Donnie Greene, an elderly Gadsden County resident, doesn’t care what experts say she hopes the shots she has taken are effective.
“I don’t really care what the experts say, I just have hope,” Greene said. “Hope that the shots that we are urged to take will keep us going, and hopefully one day we can congregate without a mask.”
Individuals who have received a booster shot have more protection against COVID-19 than those who have received the initial two or one vaccine doses. Everyone should be encouraged to be fully vaccinated and boosted because this prevents them from becoming sick with Omicron and other COVID-19 variants.