FDA "Booster Shots Questioned"... Pfizer and Moderna "Effectiveness Decreases Over Time"

Controversy Ahead of Nationwide COVID-19 Vaccination in the US on the 20th

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed a cautious stance on administering booster shots to the entire population. This is expected to cause disruptions as the Joe Biden administration plans to promote booster shot vaccinations for the general public starting from the 20th.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 15th (local time), the FDA stated in a report released that day, "The three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the U.S.?Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen?are sufficiently effective in preventing severe infections and deaths," and that vaccine effectiveness is maintained even without booster shots.

Although messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna showed reduced efficacy over time against variants such as Delta in some studies, they generally continue to play a sufficient role.

The FDA said, "While there are potentially several related studies, we have not independently reviewed or verified the underlying data or conclusions," and added, "Some study results, including Israeli data cited by Pfizer, will be presented at the FDA advisory committee meeting on the 17th."

On the other hand, Pfizer and Moderna, manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines, urged approval for booster shots, arguing that vaccine effectiveness weakens over time. Pfizer claimed that vaccine effectiveness dropped by about 6% every two months after the second dose and stated that booster shots are necessary for those aged 16 and older who completed their second dose more than six months ago.

Pfizer said, "Our own clinical trials showed a higher immune response after the third dose," and "In Israel, where booster shots are being administered, the COVID-19 prevention rate recovered up to 95% after the third dose."

Moderna also argued that vaccine effectiveness decreased over time, citing breakthrough infection cases among vaccine recipients, according to CNBC.

Moderna revealed in its data that among 11,431 people vaccinated between December last year and March this year, 88 experienced breakthrough infections, while among 14,746 people vaccinated between July and October last year, 162 experienced breakthrough infections.

Stefan Bancel, CEO of Moderna, said, "We observed a decline in immune effectiveness among those vaccinated last year," and added, "This supports the need for booster shots to maintain a high level of protection."