Kazakhs with Diabetes, Chronic Illnesses, and Hypertension Urged to Get Booster Shots

Almaty faces surge in respiratory infections as cases quadruple

Health authorities have called on high-risk patients not to delay receiving their COVID-19 booster vaccines, reports a correspondent for Almaty.tv.

Medical experts reminded the public that revaccination is only possible after nine months for those who initially received the vector-based Sputnik V vaccine, while a six-month interval is required for recipients of other COVID-19 vaccines.

"The immune response follows certain patterns. Each exposure to an antigen further strengthens the immune response and enhances cellular memory. That's how immunity works. So we can assume that after a booster shot, the immune response will be stronger and longer-lasting," noted Elmira Bizhanova, head of the department at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University.

Amid the pandemic, Almaty is experiencing a surge in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), with infection rates among residents nearly four times higher than last year. Doctors have urged flu vaccination and emphasized the importance of preventive measures, adding that in some cases, recovering from viral illnesses can make the immune system more resilient to infections.

"A runny nose one day and feeling fine the next—these mild episodes are normal. I'm not talking about complicated cases where bacterial infections set in and lead to complications. I'm referring to mild respiratory infections that actually help train the immune system," Bizhanova explained.