A fourth dose was considered because the booster strength weakened after a few months.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Various countries such as the United States and even Indonesia have intensified the third dose (booster) vaccination for the past few months. But now, some experts have considered fourth dose of vaccine along with studies that mention the power of booster weakened after four months.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that COVID-19 boosters provide 90 percent protection against hospitalization. However, after four or five months, that number had dropped to 78 percent. That’s why the CDC is instructing those with immunity to get a fourth dose of the vaccine.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director Dr Anthony Fauci said the study could likely change recommendations for when and who should get the fourth dose.
“But in general, for the population level, 78 percent is pretty good. It’s likely to drop again, but we hope the numbers will stay there. But, if it does go down, I think you can expect some modification of the recommendations,” Fauci said Fox NewsWednesday (23/2/2022).
Speaking at a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing, the president’s chief medical adviser said the requirements fourth booster for the third mRNA or booster for J&J is being monitored very carefully in real time. “And the recommendations will be updated according to developing data,” he said.
However, the recommendation for the fourth Covid booster vaccine was not welcomed by all experts. Dr Peter Marks of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said scientists don’t have enough data to know it’s a good thing to do.
“Unless there’s a surprise from a new variant, it’s probably best to think about our booster strategy together with the influenza vaccine next fall, and get as many people vaccinated as possible,” Marks said.
Currently, the CDC recommends booster shots for everyone 12 years of age and older, five months after getting two doses of the mRNA vaccine or two months after one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Marks emphasized that the vaccine remains the best way to protect against COVID-19 and that everyone aged five and over is now eligible to receive the vaccine.
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