The head of the Oxford vaccine group warned that Covid will cause more deaths if the west refuses to take responsibility for the rest of humanity and prioritize booster shots for their own people over sharing.Professor Sir Andrew Pollard and Seth Berkley (the chief executive of Gavi), write for the Guardian that there is no scientific or public health argument for large-scale boosting and that it could have serious consequences for other countries.They write that this is a crucial moment for decision-makers. Large-scale boosters in one wealthy country would signal to the rest of the world that they are required everywhere. Many vaccine doses will be lost to this system and many people will die as a result. In the absence of strong scientific evidence, millions of people will be boosted. History will also remember the moment when political leaders chose to ignore their responsibility for the humanity's greatest crisis.Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group. Photograph by Henry Nicholls/ReutersSajid Javid announced Tuesday that plans are in place to give all over-50s a Covid booster while they get the flu jab. Professor Adam Finn, who is a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, advises the government that such a large rollout might not be necessary. It's more likely boosters will only be required to protect a few vulnerable individuals.France, Israel, Germany and France all plan to or have already administered boosters for seniors, though eligibility details differ from one country to the next. The World Health Organization stated that stopping booster shots before September at the latest would reduce the inequity in vaccine distribution among poor and rich countries. The US indicated that it would not respond to the WHO's request, calling it a false choice.Pollard and Berkley argue that vaccines have given hope and may save millions of people's lives worldwide, but thousands of people are still dying from Covid each week, and many countries remain in despair with overcrowded hospitals.They claim that the vast majority of Covid-related deaths this year could have been prevented if we did this. It is in our best interest to protect those most at risk. It will reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging, ease pressure on health systems and open travel. This will resuscitate global economic growth and increase the international authority for politicians who are willing to lead with morality.The doctors also stressed that it is impossible to determine the amount of T-cells or antibodies required to prevent serious illness. The flu jab, which is administered annually, provides lifetime protection against yellow fever. It's only one dose of the vaccine. The tetanus vaccination, which requires five to six doses to provide lifelong protection, is somewhere in the middle. Pollard and Berkley don't know where the Covid vaccine falls on the spectrum, but it has so far been shown to provide protection against severe diseases, even those caused by the main variants.They write that the focus of vaccination policy should not be on maintaining high levels of antibodies to prevent mild infections. We could end up vaccination everyone multiple times to combat a virus that is constantly evolving if we only focus on antibody levels. It is not necessary to prevent mild infections, but to prevent death and hospitalisation.They state that boosters should not be used for all groups. However, careful analysis of data is required to determine if boosters are needed. They also stated that boosters should not be given to those who aren't responding well to vaccines.They concluded that since we have the luxury of two doses and have time, we shouldn't rush to boost millions of people while there is still time for those without. First doses first. It's as simple as that.We have reached out to the Department of Health and Social Care for comments.
