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Is More Than One Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine Necessary?

Apr 02, 2021

Two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are necessary to confer adequate immunity against the coronavirus.

UM Public Health specialist Dr Victor Hoe tells us that you are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose.

Photo via Science

“For example, a latest study has found that the Corminaty vaccine has 70% effectiveness in preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic infection after receiving the first dose… and this increases to 85% after the second dose.”

On the waiting period between the first and second dose, Dr Victor tells us that the timeframe would depend on which vaccine you receive.

“There will be a minimum period and maximum period.”

• Pfizer-BioNTech: You receive your second dose 3 weeks (21 days) after your first dose.
• Sinovac: You receive your second dose 2 weeks (14 days) after your first dose.

But what happens if you delay getting your second dose?

“It is recommended that the second dose be given at the earliest opportunity.”

But if you receive your second dose either earlier or later than the recommended period, you do not need to restart the vaccine series (take another dose) again.

As for the side effects of the vaccines, Dr Victor says it is relatively similar for both doses.

“The side effect after the second dose may be more severe compared to side effects after the first dose.”

“Having side effects is not a bad thing, it shows that the vaccine is working and that the body is responding to it. It is not a sign that the person is infected with COVID-19.”

Among some of the side effects that are felt include fever, fatigue, body aches and pain and headache.

And, remember to continue complying with SOP’s even after receiving both your vaccine doses, including always using a face mask!

By: Roshini Ravindran