Infectologist: booster shots reduce the risk of covid infection by more than half

Immediate booster shots with Covid-19 vaccines reduce the risk of covid infection by more than a half, said P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital’s infectologist, University of Latvia Professor Uga Dumpis.
He noted that booster shots present two major benefits – for society in general and personal. «First – we know that the risk of severe infection increases after six months of vaccination. This is true for all groups and risk groups especially. This is why booster vaccination is necessary to reduce the risk of severe infection,» explained the infectologist, adding that the other benefit lasts less longer – reduction of infection and virus transmission. This effect lasts three to four months.
The professor stressed that the people who plan to receive medical services, such as dental services, should opt for booster shots.
Disease Prevention and Monitoring Centre’s Infectious Diseases Risk Analysis and Prevention Department Director Jurijs Perevoščikovs stressed that the infection rate continues to grow and it is very likely that the same peak observed at the end of October 2021 may be reached in the coming days.
«The latest data shows that the infection also spreads outside socially active groups of residents and it has already affected our seniors – a large number of people continue getting infected with Delta,» said Perevoščikovs.
The epidemiologist stressed that because of Omicron there have been more and more cases of re-infection in Latvia lately. While at the end of 2021 those were only 2% of registered infection cases, they have since reached 7%.
«Recovery from infection does not guarantee safety from Omicron variant of Covid-19,» stressed Perevoščikovs.
Residents are able to vaccinate and receive booster shots at their general practitioners and special vaccination rooms in healthcare institutions.
There are 21 vaccination centres located in Riga and other Latvian municipalities. Vaccination is also provided at vaccination rooms in shopping malls and through mobile vaccination programmes.
As of 17 January 2022 a total of 367 452 Latvian residents have received booster shots. Of 320 000 seniors 60 years or older who have reached the time to receive booster shots, 170 000 or 53% have already received them.