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An
expert group convened by the World Health Organization said
there may be some benefit in giving a second booster dose of
coronavirus vaccine to the most vulnerable people.
During a discussion sponsored by AARP Illinois, Amaal Tokars,
the interim director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health, said unless you have been living in a cave, we have all
been exposed to the virus.
“Intentionally choosing to stay up-to-date and get that booster,
in combination with our exposure, gives us a powerful prevention
of serious illness and hospitalization,” Tokars said.
IDPH reports eight Illinois counties have risen to the high risk
level of transmission, areas that include the cities of Peoria,
Rockford and Champaign.
The medical consensus so far is that there hasn’t been enough
research on how much protection a fourth dose can offer.
“What we know from immunology is that if you give another
booster, you will see a temporary increase in the neutralizing
antibodies," WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told CNBC.
“But what we’ve also seen is that these neutralizing antibodies
will wane quite rapidly.”
IDPH is recommending the booster for people over the age of 50
and those with weak immune systems. The shot should be taken
four months after the first booster shot.
Paula Basta, director of the Illinois Department on Aging, said
the second booster is readily available.
“Your local pharmacies have the boosters,” Basta said. “Your
local public health department has them, and of course, we
always want you to make sure that you are talking to your
primary physician.”
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois
for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio
news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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