With the Emergence of the Omicron Variant... US Experts Turning to Support 'Additional Vaccinations'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the Omicron COVID-19 variant emerges and threatens the world, booster shots have become virtually the only measure to prevent its spread. In this context, the New York Times (NYT) reported that experts in the United States who were previously skeptical about booster shots are now turning in favor of them.

According to the New York Times on the 1st (local time), many public health experts in the U.S. had opposed the Biden administration's campaign to expand booster shots, citing a lack of scientific evidence. However, with the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron variant, most are changing their stance.

Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease expert at Bellevue Hospital in New York, explained, "I may have been wrong about the booster shots," adding, "Although the antibodies formed by the booster shots may not be as effective against the Omicron variant as they were against previous variants, simply increasing the number of antibodies can suppress the virus."

On the 19th of last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the eligibility for Pfizer and Moderna booster shots to all adults aged 18 and older. Following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the U.S., there has been an emphasis on the need for all adults to receive booster shots to curb the spread of Omicron.

On October 30th, Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, received a Moderna COVID-19 booster shot. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

However, experts like Dr. Gounder in the U.S. believe that although vaccine effectiveness seems to weaken against the Delta variant, it still provides significant protection against severe illness and death. Therefore, booster shots should be limited to seniors aged 65 and older or immunocompromised individuals. They also view that mRNA vaccines pose a higher risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in younger populations.

Dr. Camille Cotton, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital who had been hesitant about booster shots for these reasons, said, "Now is the time, more than ever, to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated," and mentioned that she would recommend booster shots to her college-aged sons as well.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO), which designated the Omicron variant as a "Variant of Interest (VOI)," does not support expanding booster shots.

The WHO, which classified the Omicron variant as a "Variant of Concern," remains cautious about expanding booster shots. The WHO has argued that booster shots in developed countries are hindering basic vaccinations in poorer countries with low vaccination rates. In particular, the lack of vaccinations in regions like Africa is allowing the COVID-19 virus to spread, increasing the likelihood of additional variants like Omicron emerging.

Mike Ryan, WHO Director, emphasized, "There is still no evidence that administering booster shots to the entire population provides stronger protection or reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or death among healthy individuals."