COVID-19: Second dose of vaccine more effective to fight virus

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Cameroon’s Expanded Program on Immunization, Dr. Andreas Njoh  has said the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine makes the immune system “more effective in fighting against the virus”.

He told the National Television, Crtv headquartered in Yaounde that taking the second dose of the virus is quite imperative to effectively ward off the deadly virus.

Health officials in Cameroon are rolling out the AstraZeneCa and Sinopharm vaccines which both require a booster shot. America’s Johnson and Johnson, not yet used in the country, is one of the vaccines that is administered in a single dose.

Some persons who took the first dose of the vaccine are now expected to take the second dose, administered after three weeks for the Sinophram vaccine, and one month for AstraZeneCa.

Unfortunately, many people  have reportedly given in to rumors circulating on social media indicating that the vaccines are not effective. Many of them are no longer sure whether taking the vaccine or not, is the right decision.

“After the first dose of the vaccine, there is need to boost immunity. That is where the second dose comes in, because the first dose stimulates the immune system, and the second dose makes it even more effective to fight against COVID-19” Dr. Andreas Njoh, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Expanded Program on immunization.

According to the country’s Public Health Minister, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, 23,882 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, and 16,089 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered in Cameroon as of May 6, 2021.

He calls on the target groups, which include health personnel, persons aged 50 and above, and those with pre-existing health conditions to take the vaccine in order to enhance collective protection.

Coronavirus researchers confirm that getting both doses better protects one against not just getting COVID-19, but from serious illness and hospitalization when infected with vaccines he virus. Second shots, in general, also allow the immune system to retain memory or knowledge of a virus for a longer period of time.

Recent figures of COVID-19 infections in the country show 74,946 confirmed cases, 70,497 recoveries and 1,152 deaths are on record. Among the confirmed cases are 3,297 active cases. The recovery rate is 94%, case fatality rate is 1,5% and 1,9 % severity rate.

Kathy Neba Sina

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