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The US has approved a first CoV vaccine for boosters. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday approved Biontech and Pfizer’s vaccine for people over age 65, adults at high risk for severe disease, and those in occupations with a high risk of infection. Those can now get a third dose six months after the second vaccination.
Among those at high risk of infection, the FDA included “health care workers, teachers and day care workers, food store workers, and workers in homeless shelters and prisons.” It is unclear at this time when recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be in line for a booster.
FDA spoke out in favor of booster
The decision was expected after an FDA expert panel expressed support Friday. However, the members of the independent vaccination commission rejected a basic booster vaccination for everyone over the age of 16, contrary to the plans of the U.S. government. Among other things, they pointed to possible side effects in younger people.
U.S. experts disagree on whether booster vaccinations make sense. Proponents argue that an additional dose of vaccine increases protection against infection with the coronavirus. This is especially true in view of the spread of the delta variant and a diminishing protective effect of the vaccine over time.
Opponents of booster vaccination, on the other hand, say two doses of the vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer, as well as Moderna, would already provide sufficient protection. They also say the focus should be on vaccinating unvaccinated people – in the U.S. and also in developing countries where there is a shortage of vaccines.
U.S. President Joe Biden just the day before pledged to donate 500 million more doses of vaccines to poorer countries. Biontech and Pfizer want to supply the vaccine doses at preferential prices.
— source: orf.at/picture:pixabay.com
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