CDC to discuss need for COVID-19 booster doses in immunocompromised people
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory committee plans to meet on July 22 to discuss the new safety warning for Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ -0.4%) COVID-19 vaccine - MarketWatch.
- The CDC will also discuss whether COVID-19 booster shots are needed in immunocompromised people.
- U.S. health officials are reviewing the need for booster shots amid rising cases of Delta variant and serious side effects related to the vaccine.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, on Sunday told CNN that “given the data and the information we have, we do not need to give people a third shot, a boost.”
- The officials have said the second dose for two-shot COVID-19 vaccine regimens was associated with higher rates of side effects, suggesting a third dose could potentially come with even greater risks.
- Recently, the EMA also said that its "too early" to determine the necesspursue emergency use authorization for a third COVID-19 dose in the U.S.aity of COVID booster shots.
- Also, the FDA has added warning for JNJ's COVID-19 vaccine to indicate the rare occurrence of the neurological condition named Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- However, many public-health experts are in favor of booster shots as as immunity wanes and new variants emerge.
- A group of French doctors published a letter in The New England Journal of Medicine in June that said a third dose of Pfizer’s (PFE +0.1%) shot “significantly improved” protection in solid-organ transplant recipients.
- The U.K. this month published a “potential” COVID-19 booster plan, outlining the possible individuals eligible for third shot.
- 'JCVI advises that any potential booster programme should begin in September 2021, in order to maximise protection in those who are most vulnerable to serious COVID-19 ahead of the winter months', the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said in a statement.
- Israel is now offering third doses to the immunocompromised.
- Moderna (MRNA +1.7%) is studying booster doses, too. It announced a new deal in June with the U.S. for 200M doses, “which could be used for primary vaccination, including of children, or possibly as a booster if that becomes necessary to continue to defeat the pandemic,” Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a news release.
- Earlier, Pfizer announced its plan to seek emergency authorization for its COVID-19 booster in August.