To be better protected from COVID-19, health experts recommend getting a booster shot. What is a booster dose, and is one brand better suited as a booster than the others? Below, we answer the frequently asked questions about booster shots.
What Is A Booster Shot and Do You Really Need It?
A booster shot is another dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which people receive a few months after getting their primary shot/s.
The need for a booster doesn’t mean the primary doses are not working. Primary doses are effective in protecting you against severe COVID. However, over time, health experts see a decline in protection against mild and moderate infections.
Booster shots protect people from that decline.
When Do You Need It?
People aged 18 and up can get their booster dose at a set interval after their primary dose. The Department of Health set the following schedule:
After Primary Dose
The DOH says you can get your booster shot 3 months after the 2nd dose of your 2-dose vaccine. If you had the single-dose J&J, you can get your booster 2 months later.
After You Got Sick With COVID
The primary doses protect you from severe COVID-19, but it’s still possible to get the infection.
In case you contracted COVID-19, what is the booster dose schedule? Officials say you need to satisfy the following criteria:
- It’s been 3 months since your primary 2-dose vaccine and 2 months since your single-dose jab.
- You have completed the prescribed isolation period. Fully-vaccinated patients with no or mild symptoms should be isolated for 7 days. Those with moderate symptoms must isolate themselves for 10 days regardless of vaccination status. And patients with the severe infection must be isolated for 21 days.
- Your respiratory symptoms have improved.
- You no longer have a fever in the past 24 hours even if you’re not taking fever reducers (like paracetamol).
If you satisfy these criteria, then you’re good to go for your booster dose!
Which Vaccine Should You Get?
Because experts announced that you can get a different brand of vaccine for your booster, many people wonder about which vaccine to choose.
First, let’s discuss the recommendation from the DOH. Listed below are the primary dose brands and their corresponding booster shot
- Sinovac: Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna
- AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna
- Pfizer: Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca
- Moderna: Moderna, Pfizer, or AstraZeneca
- Sputnik: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna
- J&J: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna
Since you now have options for your booster dose, many wonder if one brand is better suited for their primary dose than the others.
Reports say that most vaccines, when used as a booster, are effective in increasing the person’s immunity against COVID-19. What appears to give the highest boost, however, are Pfizer and Moderna⁵.
A CDC report also mentioned that if you got Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J, the “preferred” boosters “in most situations” are Pfizer and Moderna⁴.
Where Do You Get Your Booster Shot?
If you’re ready to get your booster shot, you can proceed to the vaccination site in your municipality.
The government has also tapped several pharmacies in the National Capital Region to accommodate people due for their booster dose. The mega vaccination site at Paranaque also gave booster doses. Note that the Resbakuna sa Botika drive and the site at Nayong Pilipino previously required registration.
Don’t forget to bring your vaccination certificate on the day of your booster dose.
Key Takeaways
The booster dose enhances your protection against mild and moderate COVID-19 infections. It doesn’t mean that the primary doses are not effective. You can get your booster dose 3 months after your 2-dose primary vaccine and 2 months after the single-jab J&J.
Learn more about Coronavirus here.
