FDA Advisors: No boosters for all, not yet
Complex debate reflects confidence in overall vaccine efficacy but questions over the need for everyone to get a booster; Third shots less likely to benefit in USA because so many are unvaccinated
The FDA’s vaccine advisory committee voted against recommending booster shots for everyone 16 and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The lopsided vote came after a full day of discussion and deliberation.
Third shots are already authorized for those with weakened immune systems, such as those with organ transplants.
One of the interesting points during the discussion was that the number of Americans who have not been fully vaccinated yet likely limits the benefits of booster shots for those who have been vaccinated.
There also were concerns about the amount of safety data among younger adults and teens vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.
In Israel, evidence appears to suggest that widespread three-dose vaccination reduces transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The rate of vaccination in Israel is much higher than in the USA.