Recently, there has been plenty of discussion about the need for a third vaccine dose against Covid-19, a booster shot that would help protect people’s immune systems against the virus. Some say there are risks to getting a third shot, while others believe two doses is enough. 

Now we have evidence to believe that the immunological benefits greatly outweigh any risks, so a third dose is a minimum we should go after for protection against Covid-19, and people should acknowledge that there might be a need for additional doses in the years to come. 

The Coronavirus, similar to influenza viruses, is excellent in avoiding the immune system. Other vaccines such as the ones for tetanus and polio are a total of four doses or more, and looking at what we know about the Coronavirus today, it is likely that we will need additional shots as well. 

It’s time to wonder if this will become an annual shot.

Somiah Singh, a WJPS senior said, “Even if it takes getting the vaccine every year, it’s worth it if it means going back to normal life before the pandemic.”

Alvin Zeng, another WJPS senior said, “Life is excruciatingly painful and the third would only put more burden among the citizens.”

“tetanus shot time” by blakespot is licensed under CC BY 2.0