Since the benefits it can provide have not yet been validated as well as its potential side effects, an infectious disease expert advised on Friday, Feb. 18, against taking a fourth dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at this point in time.
Dr. Edsel Salvana said that among the reasons why having a second booster should not be considered yet is the fact that it only adds a small amount of protection against a severe COVID-19 infection.
"While there might be some increased protection to infection yung increased protection from severe disease medyo konti lang yung nadadagdag (only a little amount of the increased protection is added for severe disease)," he said.
"Alam natin na (We all know that) even with just two doses, even without a booster yung ating (our) current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease," he added.
Salvana also mentioned that there may be COVID-19 vaccines that will eventually come out and be more effective as a fourth dose.
Another factor is that a lot of people have not yet received their primary series which should be prioritized and according to Salvana is the most important as it already provides a significant protection against a severe disease.
Salvana explained that vaccines protect in three ways: first is that it can decrease transmission; second is that it can decrease infection; and third is protection against severe disease.
If ever there will be a second booster or a fourth shot, he stated that it will be "targeted" and given only to those who are highly-exposed healthcare workers and vulnerable population such as senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.
There are also studies on tweaking COVID-19 vaccines and reformulating them to fight against the variants of concern.