Doha: In its efforts to keep the community protected against COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) continues encourage the public to get the third shot against COVID-19 and has said that latest clinical evidence shows booster dose effective in preventing severe infections against Omicron variant.
The Ministry tweeted yesterday saying that multiple local and international scientific studies show clear evidence supporting the need for a booster vaccination after six months following the second dose.
The studies indicate that for majority of people the protective immunity against COVID-19 infection obtained from the first two doses of vaccine gradually declines with the passage of time.
The Ministry also urged people to take the booster dose as recent studies show booster doses are highly effective at preventing severe infection against the Omicron variant.
“Research supports MoPH’s policy of offering the booster dose to all individuals who received their second vaccine dose more than six months ago,” the Ministry said in a tweet.
It added: “Studies showing up to 95 percent effectiveness against severe infection during the first six months, followed by a quick decline in immunity.”
The cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Qatar. With early evidence indicating that Omicron is the most highly transmissible variant to date, it is important that all members of the community play their part in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
Researchers at the Imperial College London have analysed the likely impact that a COVID-19 booster shot will have on Omicron and say it could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.
The report says that though the protection against Omicron is a bit less than vaccines gave against earlier variants of COVID-19, but it will keep most people out of the hospital.
One of the Imperial College researchers Prof Azra Ghani has said: “Our results demonstrate the importance of delivering booster doses as part of the wider public health response.”
