Data shows Covid booster shots are 'not appropriate' at this time, U.S. and international scientists
"An expert review of scientific evidence to date has concluded that Covid-19 vaccine booster shots are not needed at this time for the general public, a group of leading U.S. and international scientists said Monday in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet.
The conclusion by scientists, including two senior Food and Drug Administration officials and the WHO, came as studies continue to show the authorized Covid vaccines in the U.S. remain highly effective against severe disease and hospitalization caused by the fast-spreading delta variant.
While Covid vaccine effectiveness against mild disease may wane over time, protection against severe disease may persist, the scientists said. That’s because the body’s immune system is complex, they said, and has other defenses besides antibodies that may protect someone from getting seriously sick.
“Current evidence does not, therefore, appear to show a need for boosting in the general population, in which efficacy against severe disease remains high,” the scientists wrote, adding the wide distribution of boosters is “not appropriate at this stage in the pandemic.”
An expert review of scientific evidence to date has concluded that Covid-19 vaccine booster shots are not needed at this time for the general public, a group of leading U.S. and international scientists said Monday in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet.
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They said there are risks to distributing boosters too soon, including the potential for side effects such as a rare heart inflammation condition known as myocarditis, which is more common after the second dose of mRNA vaccines.
“If unnecessary boosting causes significant adverse reactions, there could be implications for vaccine acceptance that go beyond COVID-19 vaccines,” they wrote.
The comments come a week before the Biden administration says it plans to begin offering Covid vaccine booster shots to the general public. An FDA advisory group is meeting Friday to discuss the data to support the wide use of boosters.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/13/covid-booster-shots-data-shows-third-shots-not-appropriate-at-this-time-scientists-conclude.html
In the early days of the pandemic both WHO and the CDC did not perform admirably in the early stage of the vaccine. They responded too slowly. The WHO believed China that the virus was nothing to be concerned about. In fact if you recall initially WHO was hesitant to even call the SARS co V2 a
The WHO screwed up — just like the US screwed up. The WHO responded slowly, just like the US responded slowly. The WHO believed China, just like President Trump believed China.)
“Using the word pandemic now does not fit the facts but it may certainly cause fear,” said Tedros. Asked about the WHO’s reluctance to call a pandemic, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said “it is important to focus on actions and not on words.”
True – but words matter. Reluctance to tell the public the truth for fear of causing panic has plagued responses to other disease emergencies, notably BSE in Britain. Risk communication experts warn that not telling the public that containment will not prevent a pandemic – but might still slow it – risks greater shock over what comes next."
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2235342-covid-19-why-wont-the-who-officially-declare-a-coronavirus-pandemic/
The mixed messages, not only within the scientific community, but from social media and conspiracy nuts I think indicate this will be with us for a long time
= new reply since forum marked as read
Israel is scheduled to present data on this to US health officials on 9/17. Data which, from what I've read, strongly favors boosters beginning at 5 months post full vax.
Israel has had great success with boosters.
I'm sure eager to get a booster.
This area is so medically underserved, it's beyond words.
Great plan to listen to your doc!
I think I read somewhere that doctors can rec boosters for people.
Pls let us know what your doc says!
I have to wonder if they are saying this, perhaps, to reserve vaxes for kids? Who knows...
So, I wonder if it's as simple as making an appt & showing up for 3rd shot then?
That's my understanding, too.
From what I've read, the largest drop in efficacy is among people >age 65.
I don't normally get a flu shot, but I might this year.
I'm very much looking forward to getting 3rd!
Asymptomatic & mild infections still can, & often do, result in long haul. ~30% & very high risk of needing dialysis, per Dr. Eroc Ding, Harvard epidemiologidt twitter. Yes, even if not hospitalized!
😷
I've not gotten booster & I'm at nearly 6 mos from fully vaxed.
But Israel has very strong data reflecting that efficacy wanes significantly after 5 months.
They are reportedly set to present this to US health officials on 9/17.
