The increasing number of Covid-19 infections reported in people who are fully vaccination and boosted has prompted some governments to launch campaigns to give their citizens a second booster shot, though experts disagree as to when it might be needed.
All adults should get a fourth dose of the vaccine.
Israel's health ministry recommended a fourth shot of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech coronaviruses vaccines for all adults, citing early data that showed a fourth dose doubled protection against symptoms and gave three-to-five times the protection against serious illness.
The findings conflict with other preliminary research from Israel, which indicates another booster may not be enough to protect against the omicron variant, and experts disagree as to whether the fourth shot will be needed at all.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said more data is needed to see whether three doses are enough for protection against the omicron variant.
The vaccine still offers strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization, despite the fact that early data suggests protection against symptoms fades within weeks of the third shot.
There is not much data showing a fourth dose adds to the protection of a third dose, and there may be diminishing returns.
Israel could be the first country to offer all adults a fourth Covid-19 shot. The third shot is considered part of the initial course of vaccinations and not a booster.
There are Omicron-specific vaccines. The omicron variant is able to skirt the immune defenses provided by previous infections and vaccinations, which is why most major vaccine makers are developing shots targeting it. Pfizer and BioNTech began clinical trials for their shot on Tuesday, as well as Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax. Pfizer and Moderna say their vaccines can be ready as soon as March.
There is a vaccine. With two shots providing relatively little protection against omicron, governments and businesses are grappling with whether to include booster shots in the definition of "fully vaccined", a distinction that could have important ramifications for vaccine mandates and requirements. France requires vaccine pass holders to get a booster shot within four months of their second shot in order to keep their pass. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is keeping boosters out of its definition of fully vaccineed Americans.
You need to know how well the vaccine protects you against Omicron.
A researcher says that the 4th vaccine shot is not good enough to protect against Omicron.
What's next for COVID's viral evolution?
Covid-19 vaccine makers plan to tackle Omicron.
Live updates on the coronaviruses.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
