2 jabs is fine, its just you're about 20% more likely to get symptoms (assuming you are 18-50 and of good health). The issue is you're still going to have a week of feeling like shite. but you're much less likley to need hospital care
3 jabs gives you an 80-95% chance of not exhibiting symptoms. This is what most people expect of a vaccine. (frankly its what I had hoped that two jabs would provide. But I am naive )
There are many additional variables though. How much time since your last shot, which vaccine, how long between jabs, which variant of the virus you are exposed to, the state your immune system is in.
If you’ve had two jabs, spaced 3 weeks apart, last jab was 6 months ago, and you get exposed to omicron, it is a much worse scenario than “20% more likely to get symptoms”. So there is a rational push for boosters right now.
> So there is a rational push for boosters right now.
I very very much agree.
But what I am saying but failing to get across in a sensible way is this: A double jab will protect you from serious illness. so there really shouldn't be the narrative that double jabbed people have little to no protection.
> last jab was 6 months ago, and you get exposed to omicron, it is a much worse scenario
I do disagree slightly with this. Yes, old people (75+) who've had almost a year since the last jab will be more vulnerable. Boosters are very much needed to keep them out of hospital (just like the flu jab). But for the vast majority of the population, I am reasonably confident that 2 jabs will be enough to stop you having a really bad time. Sure you'll get symptoms, but it shouldn't be serious.
However I must stress that I have had the booster, and I would have rolled them out in july/august when they were approved for use. I would have not sat on the fence and waited, like the JVCI did.
In summary, I think we broadly agree, but down to my miss communication I have implied that boosters are not needed.
Yes, we mostly agree! I do diverge on the 6 months issue - there is a notable decline in efficacy. In the US, a majority of the people who were vaccinated got their second shot >6 months ago, and only ~16% have gotten a booster. Combine vaccine efficacy decline starting at ~5 months with omicron immune evasion, and that means a big winter wave. Even with protection from severe illness, if a lot of people are getting sick, it will mean a lot of severe illness (large denominator).
3 jabs gives you an 80-95% chance of not exhibiting symptoms. This is what most people expect of a vaccine. (frankly its what I had hoped that two jabs would provide. But I am naive )