Who Can Receive a Booster Vaccination?
3 Min Read
Three studies showed poor protection against Covid-19.
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An American teenager receives a Moderna vaccine injection
After fearing the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine against the Delta variant, the administration of Joe Biden has announced it wants vaccinated individuals to receive booster doses.
The following regulations apply to the booster dose, as reported by The New York Times:
-Individuals who have received two doses of the vaccine can receive the third dose after 8 months
-The booster program begins September 20, awaiting approval from the FDA
-Recipients of the Johnson&Johnson vaccine may also need a booster dose, however, officials are still reviewing the data
- Health care professionals, nursing home residents, and other senior individuals will be given priority, just as they were with the previous round of immunizations.
-Vaccinations will continue to be free of charge, regardless of health insurance coverage or immigrant status.
The NYT reported that breakthrough infections are more widespread than scientists first assumed. The publication claimed it looks that vaccination-piercing infections are more widespread than scientists first assumed. While immunizations are effective in preventing hospitalizations and fatalities, federal officials are concerned that protection may be waning, particularly among at-risk groups.
At a White House news briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, stated "We are concerned that this pattern of decline we are seeing will continue in the months ahead, which could lead to reduced protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death."
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented three research studies that indicated a lack of protection against infection. This drop could be related to a decline in vaccination effectiveness, a reduction in measures like wearing masks, the introduction of a highly contagious delta mutant, or all of the above.
According to Ellie Murray, an epidemiologist at Boston University, the studies show that immunizations are 55% effective against infections, 80% effective against symptomatic infection, and about 90% effective against hospitalization.
After the emergence of the delta mutant, the effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing infection decreased to 53% from over 75% in a trial of nursing home residents.
Due to developing nations still waiting for initial doses, the WHO has asked wealthy nations to postpone the administration of booster doses until the end of September. In countries with low immunization rates, there is a concern for the introduction of mutations stronger than the Delta variant.
Select specialists criticized the decision right away, claiming that the data only suggested that some elderly individuals and persons with compromised immune systems needed extra protection.
The White House epidemic coordinator announced that the Biden administration is close to donating more than 600 million doses of vaccines to other nations.
