COVID on the rise globally: Doctors advise UAE residents to complete COVID-19 booster shots before travelling

COVID on the rise globally: Doctors advise UAE residents to complete COVID-19 booster shots before travelling

Holiday season is upon us. As residents gear up to travel during the break, healthcare specialists share some much-needed advice about protection against Covid-19.

There has been an alarming surge in Covid cases in China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States. The spike is being blamed on new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been detected in four Indian states over the last six months. India has even re-introduced random testing at airports.

Doctors advise residents who have already had two vaccine doses, or two vaccine doses and a booster shot, to take another booster shot before travelling.

“Taking the booster shot before travelling might provide better immunity,” said Dr Baljinder Singh, head of the emergency department at Thumbay University Hospital.

Doctors noted that residents must be careful even if fully vaccinated a year ago as the virus is mutating and new variants are possible.

“The BF.7 subvariant which has been found recently is more virulent, has a shorter incubation period, and has greater transmissibility,” said Dr Jyoti Upadhyay, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool.

“Due to extensive immunisation, reinfections, and exposure to various variants, most people have developed hybrid immunity. But as new variants are constantly emerging, it is best to be