• Published on: Sep 01, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Why Do We Need Two Doses Of Vaccine?

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Why do we need two doses of vaccine?

Vaccination is a two-fold protective measure for preventing illness. The first dose alerts the immune system to the presence of a certain virus or bacterium, and it creates a cellular immunity of sorts. The second dose is required to alert the body's antibodies, which are typically slower acting but more powerful bodies of defenses. These antibodies present themselves naturally in our bodies after vaccination, forming what we know as "natural specific immunity." To get that natural specific immunity from your second vaccination shot, you will need both injections at least six weeks apart. Essentially then, getting vaccinated twice in quick succession has no effect on your ability to build up natural specific immunity because you'll already be protected by cellular-specific immunity when you receive your second one.

The second dose helps to reduce the incidence of infectious disease. A major reason for a second dose is "herd immunity," in which a high proportion of people within a population have been vaccinated to provide what is known as "community protection" against an infection's spread. This limits the number of individuals who might otherwise be vulnerable or susceptible to contracting and transmitting infection. For this reason, everyone needs to do their part in making sure their own vaccinations are up-to-date and take care does not infect others when they're around them with compromised immune systems--primarily infants too young to have ever been vaccinated or anyone who cannot get vaccines for medical reasons such as being immunosuppressed.

The second dose of the vaccine introduces a different version of the virus into your system to allow your body to develop an immunity because not all viruses are 100% susceptible to the first vaccine.

The effectiveness of vaccination does decline over time, so another injection can help prolong immunity for 5-6 years before it's necessary to vaccinate again. It may be because there are different versions or "strains" or versions of viruses that vaccines don't always work well on. Or there are definitions for "immunity" that are different from ours - whether you have antibodies in your blood doesn't always show true protection against an infection! Of course, we recommend asking a medical professional if you're really interested in this question.

Reason #1: Whether an individual had natural immunity previously. The first shot could wear off for some people, so the second dose ensures that there is protection long after the first dose has worn off.

Reason #2: Some children do not develop strong enough immunity when given just one vaccine dose or they received their vaccines too early in life and later required a booster shot so the best way to protect them is with two doses.

Third Medic Medical consultation online To improve chances of inducing protective immunity in unvaccinated groups during outbreaks, it may be advisable to administer two doses of vaccines to maximize coverage among these populations The cold virus mutates extremely rapidly, and your chances of contracting a mutated strain of cold virus from the vaccine are higher if you skipped the first round. The goal here is to vaccinate as many people as possible with a vaccine that is most likely going to protect them from infection. That’s because even if 50% of those vaccinated this year will not be protected from contracting the disease, that 50% who do end up not being able to contract it are still more protected than they would have been had there been no vaccination. If you argue that vaccines don't work, then you are arguing that children should go untreated for deadly diseases because populations can never get rid of all illnesses at once!

This is a two-fold concern. First, we're aiming to create immunity against the disease more rapidly and it appears that this isn't accurate if we only vaccinate once; we need to boost with two doses at least one month apart. Second, because there are limitations in the science behind vaccination, it's difficult to tell who will have the highest reaction or reaction frequency. So for absolute safety, most doctors recommend three doses at any point in life for those who've never been vaccinated before

Second dose of the vaccine is to confer "immunity." If you happen to be exposed to a virus or bacteria and recover, your body will remember and create antibodies for that specific infection. A second dose of the vaccine provides enough time for those immunities to build up.

If you take the first dose, and go out right afterward to play with friends--this could lead the immune system into mistakenly attacking your own tissues as if they were infected as well because it doesn't yet know not them as healthy tissue.

The first dose is more or less a "primer" and the second dose corresponds with the timing of the typical infectious disease infection. Estimating how long it takes for immunity to develop also depends on which vaccine is being administered. Different viruses elicit variable immune responses, which means that they need different types of vaccines to work best. It's been found, for instance, that most people who receive an influenza vaccination require two doses about four weeks apart to fight off the flu properly. In addition, live attenuated influenza vaccine spurs fewer immunological side effects because it contains weakened versions of elements from virus strains already circulating among humans – since those factors are weaker than their intact counterparts found in a regular flu shot or nasal spray.

The two-dose vaccine regimen is a tried and tested method showing excellent effectiveness.

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Hearing Loss Solutions

Hearing Loss Solutions for Elderly in India: Restoring Sound & Confidence

Introduction

Hearing loss is one of the most common health challenges faced by elderly people in India. According to estimates, nearly 1 in 3 Indians above the age of 60 experiences some degree of hearing difficulty. For many seniors, this leads to isolation, depression, communication barriers, and even increased risk of dementia. The good news? Modern science and technology offer multiple hearing loss solutions for elderly in India—from advanced hearing aids to cochlear implants and lifestyle support.

This blog explains the causes, solutions, diagnostic tests, and care tips for elderly hearing loss in India.

 

Why Hearing Loss Happens with Age

The medical term for age-related hearing loss is presbycusis. It happens gradually and affects both ears. Major reasons include:

  • Degeneration of inner ear cells with aging.

  • Long-term exposure to noise (machines, loud music, traffic).

  • Health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders.

  • Side effects of medicines (ototoxic drugs).

  • Ear infections or wax buildup left untreated.
     

 

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Seniors

  • Asking others to repeat frequently.

  • Turning up TV or phone volume unusually high.

  • Trouble following conversations in noisy places.

  • Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds (like children’s voices).

  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

  • Withdrawal from social interactions.
     

 

Best Hearing Loss Solutions in India

1. Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids are smaller, digital, and rechargeable. They can be customized for mild to severe hearing loss. Some are nearly invisible, while others connect via Bluetooth to phones and TVs.

2. Cochlear Implants

For severe or profound hearing loss, cochlear implants bypass damaged inner ear structures and directly stimulate hearing nerves. India has many hospitals offering affordable implant surgeries compared to Western countries.

3. Assistive Listening Devices

Simple tools like TV amplifiers, alerting systems with lights/vibrations, and mobile apps improve communication at home.

4. Speech & Hearing Rehabilitation

Speech therapy and auditory training help seniors adapt to devices and regain confidence.

5. Lifestyle & Preventive Care

  • Regular ear check-ups.

  • Managing diabetes and hypertension.

  • Avoiding loud noise exposure.

  • Balanced diet with vitamins (especially B12, folate, zinc).
     

 

Diagnostic Tests for Hearing Loss

Audiologists and ENT specialists recommend:

  • Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) – Standard hearing test.

  • Speech Audiometry – Measures speech clarity.

  • Tympanometry – Middle ear function.

  • Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) – Inner ear function.

  • BERA Test – For neural pathway issues.
     

At SecondMedic and Thyrocare centers, seniors can also book complete health check-ups with ENT & vitamin profiles to check if underlying conditions are contributing.

 

Cost of Hearing Solutions in India

  • Basic Hearing Aids: INR 15,000 – INR 40,000

  • Digital & Rechargeable Hearing Aids: INR 50,000 – INR 1,50,000

  • Premium Invisible Aids / Bluetooth-enabled: INR 2 – INR 3 lakhs

  • Cochlear Implant Surgery: INR 6 – INR 12 lakhs (may vary by hospital)

Government schemes, NGOs, and CSR initiatives sometimes subsidize devices for senior citizens.

 

Role of Family Support

Hearing loss is not just a medical condition—it’s a social challenge. Families can help by:

  • Speaking clearly, slowly, and facing the senior.

  • Reducing background noise during conversations.

  • Encouraging regular check-ups and device use.

  • Providing emotional support to prevent isolation.
     

 

Conclusion & CTA

Hearing loss does not have to mean silence. With the right solutions—modern hearing aids, cochlear implants, rehabilitation therapies, and preventive care—elderly Indians can enjoy active, engaged lives.

If you or your loved one is experiencing hearing problems, book a complete hearing assessment with SecondMedic today. Early diagnosis and the right solution can restore not just sound, but also confidence and connection.

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