While studies from Israel and the United Kingdom clearly indicate that the COVID-19 booster vaccine provides an extra layer of protection, there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding their durability, impact, and ability to thwart the newer variants. The emergence of the Omicron variant further complicates ongoing studies on the variant-specific boosters amidst this ambiguity, and public health authorities are urging all eligible individuals to get the booster to stay ahead of the threat.
However, significant questions remain;
· Will we need regular boosters?
· Will boosters help to curb the pandemic?
· Are booster campaigns in high-income nations slowing efforts to vaccinate the rest of the world
In the absence of large-scale coordinated studies about the COVID-19 booster’s efficacy, durability, and ability to curb established and emerging variants like Omicron, a few smaller studies for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines suggest better protection among individuals who received the booster compared to those with two doses. The newer Omicron variant has once again prompted the scientific community to develop a concerted effort to answer these questions. In the meantime, as data seems optimistic about the booster’s efficacy, scientists advise getting it if available.
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