20.09.2021

 The third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

I read an article about the third dose of COVID-19 which some countries are planning to administer. The article explained that only 40% of protection against COVID-19 has been found after a full dose of vaccine, but 90% of it is for serious disease. Although Israel is the only country starting the third dose, the US, France, and Germany are also going to start it.

While the UK, Spain, Denmark, and the Netherlands have a different strategy in which the third dose will be given only to people with low-immunity systems. The article also mentioned problems such as global disparities between high-income and low-income countries, and the uncertainty of safety for using the third dose.

I was surprised about such a low percentage of protection after 6 months of full vaccination. Moreover, the delta variant, which is stronger transmission than the original one, still has threatened us. 

However, I think we need to live with COVID-19 rather than eliminating it, so I am not sure that the third dose of vaccine is really beneficial. If the effectiveness weakens after 6 months, we need to be given courteously. I am not an expert on infection, but I wonder if    natural immunity can be applied for COVID-19 in the future.

Additionally, I think the gap between rich and poor countries is also a serious issue. 

Despite the fact that there are many people who cannot access the vaccine yet, high-income countries are controlling it as their intentions. I think this has no meaning because even if they protect only their own countries, many people with coronavirus may go on air travel and enter the countries. Thus, I prefer the UK's idea which gives the vaccine to only certain people. Besides, I think front-line health care workers need the third dose for protection. I know WHO complains about an equal distribution of the vaccine as well. I feel COVID-19 made the world think the rich countries are stronger than before.

English is my second language, so you may find incorrect sentences.

It would be great help if you leave a comment for me. 

Thank you for reading!