Why 60 plus people should get their COVID-19 booster doses; people who should consult their doctors and side effects to watch out for

Given that over a year has passed by since certain groups of people including healthcare workers and older adults received their previous COVID-19 vaccine doses – much before the rest of the population – now could be the time when vaccine-induced immunity for them could fast wane and put them at risk again.

When it comes to people above 60 years of age, many of them could be prone to severe illnesses. People belonging to this age group could either be at the risk of underlying health conditions or have frail and weak immune defences, which is why the protection from the two previous doses could have waned.

Additionally, elderlies suffering from pre-existing comorbidities are at a greater risk threshold. The Ministry of of health and family welfare (MOHFW) states, “Elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

“Also, the course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderlies resulting in higher mortality,” it adds.

That said, receiving booster shots will not only help ramp up their immune system, but it will also protect them from severe disease and hospitalization. However, there’s always a chance of contracting the infection.