FDA "No Conclusion Yet on COVID Vaccine Booster Shots"

"COVID-19 Vaccine Provides Protection Against Severe Disease and Death" Judgment
Pfizer Advocates for Booster Shot Necessity
Booster Shot Recommendation to Be Decided at FDA External Panel Meeting on the 17th

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed the view that COVID-19 booster shots are not necessary. This could potentially impact the booster shot campaign being promoted by the U.S. government.

According to U.S. media on the 15th (local time), the FDA stated that the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. provide protection against severe illness and death.

The FDA made this statement in an analysis report on the data submitted for the booster vaccine approval requested by Pfizer.

The FDA maintains the position that it has not yet been proven whether vaccine efficacy is waning or if additional doses are necessary.

FDA scientists pointed out that although booster shots generate a higher immune response, they have not reached the conclusion that they are widely needed.

The FDA argued, "Some studies have shown that vaccine efficacy has decreased over time and due to the Delta variant, but other studies have not."

On the other hand, Pfizer emphasized the need for booster shots, citing its own clinical trial results which showed that vaccine efficacy decreases by about 6% every two months after completing vaccination.

The Wall Street Journal reported that this report could pose a burden on the Biden administration, which is trying to implement booster shots.

An external FDA panel is scheduled to review this report on the 17th and consider the implementation of booster shots.

Earlier, President Joe Biden responded to a reporter's question about whether to receive a COVID-19 booster shot by saying, "I will follow the decisions of the FDA and CDC scientists."