Breakthrough COVID-19 infections are now being observed everywhere, even those who have received an enhanced, booster vaccine are infected. Therefore, the question naturally arises whether another, fourth dose of the vaccine may be needed to prevent the spread of the hyper-contagious omicron variant. Bloomberg has collected information received on this matter from different countries.
A fourth dose has begun to be offered in Israel, and the first results look promising: the second booster of Pfizer vaccine was found to be safe and increased the number of antibodies fivefold. The New York Times reported this week that people with weakened immune systems are spiraling out of control and receiving fourth and even fifth shots – contrary to official guidelines.
Vaccine manufacturers’ management has traditionally been “in favor” of additional vaccinations. So, the CEO of Moderna, Stefan Bansel, said the other day that in the fall of 2022, another round of booster vaccinations will probably be required, even if the absolute majority will be immune to the omicron by that time.
Other experts are not so categorical. “While at some point it is possible that we will be recommended to receive a fourth dose of the vaccine in the United States, it is a little premature to say that we will definitely need it,” Bloomberg quoted Catherine Wallace, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois, as quoted by Bloomberg. Scientists are still in the process of collecting data on how well and for how long the third dose of coronavirus vaccination works.
“If the third dose continues to provide significant protection, the fourth dose may not be needed. We will continue to monitor the data for now,” said Dr. Wallace. vaccine. This group is already authorized for the fourth vaccine. “
In the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 38% of eligible adults received a booster, and about 34% did not complete their primary vaccination series.
Also key to ending the pandemic is getting vaccines to places where they are still in short supply. Unvaccinated populations, wherever in the world and wherever they are, allow the virus to spread and potentially mutate.
“Only 9.5% of the African population has been vaccinated with the first round of vaccines,” Wallace says. “Equity must be prioritized over the fourth dose to prevent new viral variants from emerging.”
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