Photo: Maike Sena / MS
an FDA scientific advisory committee, “Anvisa of the United States of America”, This Friday (17th) recommended the application of a booster dose of Pfizer’s vaccine to senior citizens 65 years of age and older and those at high risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19..
The same committee a few hours ago advised against Pfizer’s application of this booster dose for people over the age of 16 by 2 votes by 16. According to the New York Times, there was “Intense Public Discussion” About whether a vaccine booster is needed and if so, for whom.
In the committee’s debate, several independent experts, including infectious disease experts and statisticians, questioned whether the data justify additional doses for the majority of the population, while vaccinations still provide strong protection against COVID infection and hospitalization.
“It is not clear whether everyone needs booster shots, except for a subset of the population that would clearly be at higher risk for serious disease.”, physician Michael G. Kurilla, board member and an official of the National Institutes of Health, said.
While the FDA is not required to adopt its advisory committee recommendations, they are generally followed. The agency is likely to take a decision on the matter early next week.
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