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Corona virus: US FDA allows booster vaccination for risk groups

2021-09-23T06:17:45.766Z


It is a setback for US President Joe Biden: The FDA has officially approved booster vaccinations with the Biontech / Pfizer vaccine - but only for the elderly and risk groups.


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Pfizer headquarters in New York

Photo: JASON SZENES / EPA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved corona booster vaccinations with the agent from Biontech / Pfizer for the elderly and risk groups.

The FDA announced on Wednesday evening (local time).

It followed the recommendation of a panel of experts last week.

The FDA approved Biontech / Pfizer's vaccine for people over 65 years of age, adults at high risk of developing a serious illness, and people in professions with a high risk of infection: They can now have a third dose at least six months after the second vaccination.

FDA ranks among those at high risk of infection, including "health care workers, teachers and daycare workers, grocery store workers, and those in homeless shelters or prisons," said FDA officer Janet Woodcock.

The basis for the decision is the level of scientific knowledge and the recommendations of the advisory committee, which is made up of independent experts.

The rapidly developing scientific findings on the "safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccinations, including the use of booster vaccinations" will also be further assessed and the public will be informed accordingly.

It is still unclear when recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will get a booster.

The FDA's panel of experts had recently given US President Joe Biden's vaccination plans a setback.

The influential group of scientists came to the conclusion on Friday after a long discussion that the data did not justify a general introduction of a third dose of vaccine for all people from the age of 16 years.

Biden had already announced a vaccination start on September 20 for all those who were vaccinated eight months ago.

In Germany, people in need of care, people over 80 and people with immunodeficiency are sometimes offered a third vaccination.

A recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission is still pending.

US experts do not agree on the question of the usefulness of booster vaccinations.

Proponents argue that an additional dose of vaccine increases protection against infection with the coronavirus.

This applies in particular in view of the spread of the delta variant and a protective effect of the vaccine which diminishes over time.

Opponents of a booster vaccination, on the other hand, say that two doses of the vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna would already offer sufficient protection.

They also argue that the focus should be on vaccinating unvaccinated people - in the US, but also in developing countries where there is a shortage of vaccines.

A detailed analysis of the pros and cons can be found here: How useful is a third vaccination?

aar / dpa / AFP

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2021-09-23

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