On January 24, 2023, the second booster vaccination was simultaneously held in Indonesia, including Jakarta. The implementation of the second booster vaccination is in line with the government’s preparation for the transition of Covid-19 towards an endemic state. Referring to Circular Letter Number HK.02.02/C/380/2023 regarding the 2nd Booster Dose of Covid-19 Vaccination for General Public Groups, the second booster vaccine is available for residents aged 18 years and older without needing a vaccination ticket on PeduliLindungi, as long as they received the first booster dose at least 6 months earlier. Despite the government's recommendation, why do we need a second shot of booster vaccine? Find out more here. 

The Importance of the Second Booster Vaccine

Research from the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that immunity to Covid-19 obtained from vaccines among the elderly and people with immunocompromised individuals shows a decline over time. The solution to increase the immunity is through a second booster vaccine. In addition, other studieshave also shown that the potential risk of severe illness from the Covid-19 increases with age, as the immune system of older people functions less effectively than that of young people.

In Jakarta, the first booster dose of vaccination has been held since January 2022. There is quite a long gap from the first dose of vaccination up to now. Thus, the efficacy of the vaccine may decrease. That is why we need a second booster vaccine that can increase the efficacy again.

Various Advantages of the Second Booster

Increase body immunity

When a vaccine recipient is vaccinated, weakened bacteria or viruses are injected into the body. The bacteria or virus will stimulate the production of antibodies, so that if one day a vaccine recipient is infected with the Covid-19 virus, their immune system will recognize the virus first and defeat it more easily. The effects that are obtained due to the Covid-19 virus tend to be lighter.

So, what's the difference with the first booster? According to laboratory-based research in the United States cited by Time.com, the level of Covid-19 antibodies obtained from the first booster will begin to fall by about six times within a few months. Meanwhile, research published in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that the second booster vaccine worked well quantitatively and antibodies peaked higher after the second booster vaccine than after the first booster vaccine. However, The Lancet Infectious Diseases study also found that the benefit of the second booster could be limited for people whose efficacy of the first booster had not diminished.

Reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death

The second booster dose of vaccine is also said to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Evidenced by the researchfrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on residents of nursing homes who are elderly. The results of the study show that the second booster vaccine has a smaller risk of causing serious illness from Covid-19 during the Omicron period.

A journalof the National Library of Medicinealso noted a study regarding the efficacy of the second booster vaccine on hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 in Israeli elderly aged 60 years and older. In this study, it was found that 270 people who received the second booster vaccine and 550 people who only received the first booster vaccine were hospitalized because of Covid-19. Meanwhile, cases of Covid-19 death occurred in 92 recipients of the second booster vaccine and 232 people who only received one booster dose. This research proves that booster vaccines can reduce the number of seriously ill cases and deaths from Covid-19.

From the various findings above, it can be concluded that the Covid-19 booster vaccine is indeed very influential in reducing cases and the severity of the disease. Although most research focuses on the elderly and people with immune diseases, if you are 18 years and over, you can also get a second booster vaccine so you are more well-protected from Covid-19. Do you want to book your vaccination? Registervia JAKI. Download the app on Google Play Storeor Apple App Store. Let’s get your second shot booster!