Research shows massive protection with COVID19 booster shot

by: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jan. 18 (PIA ) - Getting a booster shot against COVID19 increases the rise of anti-body level and can improve protection against COVID19 infection.

This is according to Dr. Mario Antonio Jiz II, Head, Immunology Department, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine during a Kapihan session that the Department of Health (DOH) hosted with the media.

Dr. Jiz shared a study in Brazil with 1,200 participants, wherein the anti-bodies levels of these participants were quite low at day one but then at day 28, which is exactly a month after the booster dose, a lot of these anti-bodies have increased, particularly those that received the Astra Zeneca vaccine, Pfizer, and Janssen.

“After the booster dose, there is a significant increase in anti-body titer. And anti-body titers are important because they co-relate well in terms of protection,” Dr. Jiz explained. 

In layman’s term, if you have very high level of anti-body titer, that will protect you from getting the virus itself.

Jiz said that regardless whether you are a young adult or senior citizen, the increase in the anti-body levels is very significant if you provide a booster dose of either the Astra Zeneca or the Pfizer or even the Janssen.

The vaccine expert supported his statement with studies conducted globally, saying, during day one of administration of the third dose or booster shots, the anti-body was noted at 37,000, but at day 28, which is a month after the booster dose, it increased from 3,700 to 335,212, or 89% full increase in the anti-body levels. 

“Ganon po kalakas ang ating booster shots. So there is almost a 90-fold increase in the anti-body levels when administered with AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.

He again sited another example, derived from International study/research, that from a 4000 antibody level baseline, it increased to 674,000; so there is a 152-fold increase in the antibody levels with Pfizer booster shots.

“So, this is very good news particularly in the context of Omicron as we need to have very high antibody levels in order for us to suppress Omicron. So if you have the chance to get a booster, regardless kung astra Zeneca yan or Pfizer, those are really good options to enhance anti-body immunity," Dr. Jiz  appealed. (RVC/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)