Difference of opinion on need for booster shots

Some studies have claimed that Covid-19 vaccine immunity can last only for about six months, or a little more, suggesting the need for booster shots especially for people with fragile immune systems. However, an international group of scientists argued in a review recently published in The Lancet that booster doses for the general population are “not appropriate” at this stage in the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has, meanwhile, called for a delay in booster shots until people in poorer countries have been vaccinated. Instead, the organisation wants countries to focus on vaccine equity so that every country is able to vaccinate at least 40 per cent of its population by the end of this year, and at least 70 per cent by the middle of next year.

According to the WHO, out of the 5.5 billion vaccine doses administered globally so far, 80 per cent were in high- and upper-middle income countries. Though WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledges that third doses may help enhance immunity in vaccinated people, and may be necessary for the high-risk populations, he doesn’t see the need for widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated.

During a media interaction last week, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said that it was unethical to start administering the booster dose when many people in certain countries have not even got two doses for full vaccination. He also stated that there’s no evidence to show Covishield, one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in India, requires a third dose and that they have also not recommended it yet.

US drug makers Pfizer and Moderna support booster shots to maintain high levels of protection. Citing studies that show effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines wane after six months, they said boosters are important to reduce breakthrough infections, which happen when a fully vaccinated person gets infected with COVID-19.

A study conducted in Israel revealed that a booster dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine can prevent both infections and severe illness in adults older than 60. Several US federal health officials including the country’s top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci have backed the proposal to distribute booster shots to provide maximum protection against Covid-19.