Joint Statement from Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots

23/08/2021


On 18 August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a joint statement with experts from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stating that the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of serious disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. 

Available data indicate that protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decline over time, following the initial vaccination doses, with indications of reduced protection against mild infection and moderate disease. Current protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout. For that reason, they conclude that a booster dose will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will conduct an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and efficacy of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, after which it will issue booster dose recommendations. 

They estimate that, beginning the week of 20 September, and starting eight months after an individual's second dose, booster shots will be offered for all Americans, prioritizing healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and other seniors. In addition, they estimate that booster shots will likely be needed for people who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, and are awaiting additional data to be submitted by the company for confirmation.

In addition, the statement emphasized the urgency of vaccinating the unvaccinated in the U.S. and around the world.  

Source: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-statement-hhs-public-health-and-medicalexperts-covid-19-booster-shots

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