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THE HEALTH | JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2022
| Opinion |
Boosters not
BY DR JEYARAJAH SIVALINGAM
the answer to Omicron
Latest numbers show two doses hardly offer any protection against Omicron transmission whilst a booster confers about 30 per cent protection
ARE BOOSTERS the answer to Omicron ? The loudest most resounding answer is a big NO . As much as I try to keep up with the latest data , I have not been able to tease out any numbers in that direction .
The Israeli study was based more on antibody titres than clinical outcomes . And that is not rocket science as basic immunology textbooks confirm antibodies after infections or vaccinations do taper off after six months .
Antibodies taper off but the immune response remains intact . Yes , the first two doses were definitely helpful , reducing hospitalisations 11 to 13 times compared with the unvaccinated .
Significant numbers that do justice to the risk and benefit ratios . Risks , of course the vaccines carry their own risks , which I will not venture into here as it is well covered in most forums .
Latest numbers show two doses hardly offer any protection against Omicron transmission whilst a booster confers about 30 per cent protection . And this is transmission . For hospitalisations , two doses , still confer 70-90 per cent protection against Omicron . Moreover , all data this far clearly presents Omicron as milder .
Omicron a different animal
Two high ranking FDA officers broke rank and resigned against boosters for all groups . Dr Marion Gruber , Director of the Office of Vaccines Research and Review at FDA ’ s Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research , and Dr Philip Krause , Deputy Director . They are the number 1 and number 2 there . Dr Paul Offit , one of the leading authorities in vaccination , has been quoted that he will not advice his 20-year-old healthy son to get a booster . This is as good as it gets .
Paul A Offit , MD , is Director of the Vaccine Education centre and Professor of Paediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia . He is the Maurice R . Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania . He is also the co-editor of the foremost vaccine text , VACCINES .
In summary we cannot out vax Omicron ’ s spread . It worked for the Delta variant , but Omicron is a different animal . The focus should be on isolation and early treatment of those symptomatic .
Boosters do have their role in vulnerable groups . But not for all . Mandating boosters is bad science . — The Health
Regenerative medicine
DR JEYARAJAH received his Medical Degree from Mysore Medical College , India . He is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians ( UK ). His previous appointments include Physician and Senior Lecturer in Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine , UiTM and Selayang hospital .
He further trained in Interventional Cardiology at the National Heart Institute , Kuala Lumpur from
His focus is on Men ’ s Health , Noninterventional Reversal of Ischemic Heart Disease and Preventive and Regenerative Medicine . Dr Jeyarajah is currently a Consultant Physician at MAC Clinics .
He is also Advisor to NiSCell ( a Malaysian Biotechnology Company incorporated in 2007 to principally engage in laboratory research on Cell-based products ). He is a life member of the Malaysian Medical Association and the National Specialist Registry .