It has been three years since we lived through a global event that we will never forget: the appearance of the coronavirus in 2019. The ravages of the well-known COVID-19 due to its contagion and the extreme methods governments in countries had to take to protect their populations will be hard to erase from everyone’s memory.

The health care and scientific community from all over the world came together as never before to make the vaccine and its boosters to avoid it or at least considerably cut its symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as CDC for its acronym in English, explained that these vaccines effectively protect people and prevent them from becoming seriously ill, hospitalized, or even dying. Vaccination stays the safest methods to avoid long-term health problems. 

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 has many benefits:

  • Prevents serious illness: COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are safe and help prevent bad disease.
  • Vaccination against COVID-19 is the safest and most reliable way to build protection.
  • Offer extra protection: COVID-19 vaccines can offer extra protection to people who have contracted the virus, along with protecting them and preventing them from being hospitalized if they become infected again.

Though last May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that COVID-19 no longer represents a global health crisis, after having wiped out more than 6.9 million people, there has been a spike in cases. Therefore, it must be ensured that people have all the needed shot boosters. 

A booster refers to a vaccine given after an earlier vaccination, which helps keeps or gain active immune response. The booster dose increases the effectiveness of the vaccine and helps prevent disease. Research shows that booster doses increase protection against bad sickness and hospitalizations linked to COVID-19.

When can I get the booster? 

  • People 6 months and older should get a bivalent booster dose at least two months after receiving the primary series.
  • People over 65 may choose to get an extra bivalent dose at least four months after getting the first bivalent booster dose.
  • Most people with weakened immune systems can choose to get an extra bivalent dose at least two months after getting the first bivalent dose. 
  • Parents of children between 6 months to 5 years old with weakened immune systems should talk to their pediatrician to decide the best vaccination plan for their children.
  • All People 18 years or older who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can get a booster and should get one. 

Vaccinating ourselves and encouraging vaccination is essential; it is the only way to eradicate COVID-19 and weaken its new variants.

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