Healthcare worker holding syringes containing the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), at a vaccination center in El Paso Texas, May 6, 2021.
A powerful advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thursday unanimously endorsed boosters for Moderna's and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines. The recommendation was sent to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, for final approval.
The Moderna booster was recommended by the agency's Advisory Committee on Immunizing Practices six months after the completion of their primary series. This aligns with the distribution plan for Pfizer's booster and BioNTech’s booster. J&J boosters were also recommended by the agency for all 18-year-olds who had received their first shot at least two years ago.
The panel did not specify which vaccine should be used to boost the immune system. It was up to the doctors to decide whether to mix the doses of the different companies to ensure the best protection.
According to a slide that was presented by the CDC at the meeting, more than 39 million Moderna recipients as well as nearly 13 million J&J beneficiaries may be eligible for a boost dose as soon as Friday.
Scientists from both the government and outside have had a heated debate about booster shots, especially since many people in the U.S. have not received a single dose of vaccines. The World Health Organization has asked wealthy countries to delay distributing boosters. Some scientists disagree that most Americans require them now.
Some members expressed concern about the lack data regarding boosters before the vote. Others asked the agency to simplify the message on who is eligible for the extra doses.
"These recommendations are asking the individual to make a decision about their underlying risk and their medical condition. But the truth is that they're not consulting their doctors in all cases. They're just going out and getting boost doses," stated Dr. Jason Goldman.
He added that "I worry it's too prescriptive, if too wordy, then we're going to miss out on the ability to give people boosters, or people just doing it anyway, not necessarily having the support to do it properly."
Biden hopes that the administration will give the U.S. population more doses to ensure long-term protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The fast-moving delta variant is continuing to change and spread. The U.K. is currently investigating a newly discovered delta mutation amid concerns that it could make Covid vaccines less effective and make the virus more transmissible.
Before Thursday's vote, Walensky addressed members of the committee and thanked them for their efforts. He also noted that there is constant improvement in the data surrounding the virus and vaccines.
She stated that "none of us can predict the future and no one can tell us what to do." "Please be assured that I am listening and open to learning from your perspectives.
Moderna recipients can receive a booster for half the dose of the original two shots.
According to data provided by the CDC before the meeting, the effectiveness of the two dose vaccine against infection decreases over time. The data revealed that some studies showed small decreases in hospitalization protection, especially for people over 65.
The CDC stated that the data was flawed and suggested that some recipients might have engaged in more risky activities after being vaccinated.
Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, a CDC official, presented data showing an increase in the risk of myocarditis, myocarditis, and other rare inflammatory conditions after vaccination with Moderna or Pfizer, especially the second dose.
According to Shimabukuro, the rate of rare heart conditions in seven days after vaccination was only 10 cases per million doses. He cited a study by U.S. military personnel. He said that it was common in young men, and often after the second dose. Patients reported feeling completely recovered in six weeks.
He said that surveillance was ongoing.
Dr. Macaya Douoguih is the head of clinical research and medical affairs at J&J's vaccines division Janssen. She said that there are no data suggesting people are more susceptible to a rare, but severe, blood clot condition. She presented data from the U.K. regarding second doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine. It uses a similar platform to J&J's.
One expert on the committee pointed out that the U.K. authorities had begun to restrict the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in young women early this year due to the risk of rare bloodclots. It is therefore difficult to assess the impact of a second J&J dosage based on those data.
