Suburban
Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter
THE public has been urged to get booster shots after they have received the initial two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr Michael Vere from City of Harare’s Epidemiology department told Suburban that the booster shot should be given six months after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“For example, if you get the first and second dose of Sinopharm, you are then eligible to get the booster shot.
“The booster shot helps to enhance the immunity against COVID-19.
“Studies have shown that the immunity actually becomes less with time so the protection against COVID-19 infection becomes less so it becomes important that booster shots are given so that the immunity is boosted,” he said.
Dr Vere said the importance of vaccination is that there is less severity of cases.
“As we have witnessed here in Zimbabwe, we have witnessed that infections are still being recorded but the severity of the disease, the number of deaths and hospital admissions have drastically gone down.
“So this is the advantage of us providing a booster shot,” he said.
Dr Vere said the booster shot might also be required on a yearly basis depending on the risk of infection.
He said in Zimbabwe those aged 15 and above are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shot.
“While we know that in other countries, even those who are younger than 15 years are now receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, for Zimbabwe, it is those 15 years and above,” said Dr Vere.
He said the booster shot and the COVID-19-19 vaccine is free of charge at public health institutions.
“All public health institutions in Harare and countrywide provide the COVID-19 booster vaccine so anyone 15 years and above can visit any of the health institutions for assistance.
“In private health facilities, you might just be charged a nominal administration fee,” said Dr Vere.
