As we learn more every day about COVID-19, it seems likely that a third COVID booster vaccine could be in the works.
Both Pfizer and Moderna are already researching a booster vaccine as data seems to indicate the immunities from the first two doses will last about six months.
Dr. David Itkin, an infectious disease specialist at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, said that while there is speculation about a third booster shot, at this point there is no recommendation for that to happen.
"We do not have enough data yet to prove it is a necessary thing we will need to do," Itkin said. "We do not know if we will need an annual (coronavirus) vaccine, like that for influenza."
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Itkin said those decisions will not be made by Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson or any vaccine producer.
"That decision will be made by the CDC-ACIP (Centers for Disease Control - Advisory Council on Immunization Practices)," said Itkin. "The vaccines went to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and got EUA (emergency use authorization) and then they went to the ACIP, who is collecting data and it is they who will determine if a booster should be authorized."
Itkin said the ACIP will look at antibody titers, and their rate of decline.
"They look at the rate of decline to extrapolate out to see when a significant percentage of the population will be below the needed rate to be effective," he said. "The impact of the variants further complicates the science. Which variant will become prevalent? It is a moving target at this point. There is a lot of data to be crunched."
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"The million dollar question is how long will the immunities from the vaccine last?" said Dr. Artemio Mendoza, an infectious disease doctor at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. "It is expected from the latest data that we can safely say at least six months. COVID is one of those rolling situations. It is a unique position, a pandemic and we are learning as we go along. We really do not have all the answers. I know both Pfizer and Moderna are facing the same issue here, looking to see when the immunities will begin to wane."
Dr. Evangeline Thibodeau, an infectious disease doctor at York Hospital, said a booster vaccine makes sense.
"We do this for a number of virus changes like the flu," she said. "We have tetanus boosters, used to cement in the duration of the immune system response. We know Moderna and Pfizer likely are persistent for at least six months and then there may be gradual waning of its ability to produce an immune response. So why wouldn't we want that to continue at this point?"
Mendoza said his personal feeling is that a booster shot is coming.
"With the current two-dose regimen, the first acted to prime the body and the second shot was sort of a booster," said Mendoza. "A third booster will make the body recognize the virus and act accordingly for another period of time. It really is not much different from other vaccines, like the flu shot which is needed every year because the virus changes. COVID is also changing, evidenced by the variants we are seeing."
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"This is a pandemic unlike any we have seen in our lives," said Itkin. "To me, we have great minds and are seeing great products. I think discussions like this should not be a cause for anxiety. Instead we should be reassured that we are asking the right questions."
The important thing, said Itkin, is the need for everyone to buy in to the science and to get the vaccine. In some cases, he said that is an uphill battle, and he hopes it changes.
"We need to reach herd immunity, to get back to a semblance of normalcy," he said. "We are moving in the right direction but we are not there yet."
The Link LonkApril 30, 2021 at 04:01PM
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COVID-19 vaccine booster shots might be necessary, local health experts say - Foster's Daily Democrat
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