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January 20, 2025

What is The Need For Booster Dose?

What is The Need For Booster Dose?

Bhout parents poochte hai, “what is the need for a booster dose?”. The main reason why booster doses are given hai ki kuch vaccines aisi hai jo lifelong immunity deti hai, but there are other vaccines jo lifelong immunity nahi deti. Vaccine ke doses ko usi ke hisab se usually plan kara jaata hai so that inactivated vaccines (jinki protection becomes active through multiple doses over the years) ya mutations in viruses ko incorporate kara jaa sake in your child’s vaccination schedule. The number of doses required depends on the nature of the vaccine, the disease it protects against, and how the immune system responds.

Why do we need Booster Dose for some Vaccines?

Immunity build aur maintain karne ke liye, because-

  • Immature Immune Systems in Infants: Babies ka immune system weak hota hai. Multiple exposure to antigens are important to build this lasting immunity. The DTP vaccine (for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), for example, is given in multiple doses because a single dose does not provide long-term immunity​. Vaccines like DTP have to be activated over time to unlock their full potential in a kid's body.
  • Booster Doses: Kuchh vaccine se mili protection over time fade ho jati hai. It is important ki yeh vaccines babies ko multiple times di jaye for full and long-term immunity.
  • Mutation of viruses: Some viruses, jaisi ki influenza, mutate very easily. Therefore, to protect children against these new versions of the virus, it is important to get flu shots regularly.

There are some vaccines jo long term immunity bhi deti hai, jaise measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine which provides long-term immunity in just two doses. Hepatitis B vaccine bhi long-term protection offer karti hai with a complete series of doses.

Isiliye, for full protection, ensuring ki full-immunity develop ho in case of mutation, or activating the vaccine with multiple doses, zaroori hai ki ham sb prescribed shot lein. Itna hi nahi, flu season mein if the doctor suggests, we retake the flu shots too!

Sources-

IAP-  https://iapindia.org/pdf/Ch-11-IAP-Parental-Guide-on-Vaccination.pdf

WHO- https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work