Healthcare official says no other choice but apply booster dose in Azerbaijan

"The protection level that reaches a maximum shortly after vaccination may weaken over time. A booster (third) dose aims to reactivate the immune response and thus increase the vaccine's effectiveness. The booster dose is considered appropriate for those at high risk (healthcare workers, people over 50, people with autoimmune diseases, people with chronic diseases) and is more important. Of course, these facts have been revealed during the research conducted by world health organizations," Rashad Mahmudov, Deputy Chairman of the Health Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament, told Report.

The official data shows people vaccinated with both doses are at risk of contracting new strains of COVID-19:

"Therefore, taking the booster dose should be accelerated. Booster dosing has already begun in countries around the world. It is recommended to inject this shot to protect against coronavirus strains. It can prevent mild infections and reduce the spread of the virus, as well as COVID hospitalizations and deaths. The third dose uplifts antibodies to the virus three times more than previous ones. The third dose restores strong protection against the disease. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the UK National Health Service, the use of a booster dose is vital for individuals at risk six months after the initial vaccination. The risk group includes the older generation, as well as people with side effects, living or working at high risk."

The MP said that there is no other way but to believe since these facts are official information: "Just as it was initially recommended that standard vaccines be given to high-risk groups and the elderly, it is now mandatory for everyone. It is also recommended that the booster dose be injected to all inoculated people. Although some members of society find it difficult to accept this, it is true, and we have no other choice. I advise that everyone trust the information provided by the authorities instead of baseless assumptions and groudless reports."