Some Scientists Question Need for Yearly COVID-19 Booster Shots
2021-05-21
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1Some scientists say there is growing evidence that yearly booster shots may not be needed to protect people against COVID-19.
2Vaccine developers have been advising that the world will need yearly booster injections to remain protected.
3Vaccine producers have also suggested that new vaccines might be necessary to fight new virus versions, also called variants.
4But these suggestions were disputed by more than 12 influential disease and vaccine development experts who recently spoke to Reuters news agency reporters.
5Some of the scientists expressed concern that public expectations around COVID-19 boosters are being set by drug company executives rather than health specialists.
6Still, many agreed that preparing for such a need as a precaution was reasonable.
7The scientists fear that a push by wealthy nations for repeat vaccination as early as this year will deepen the divide with poorer countries that are struggling to buy vaccines.
8In some nations, it may take years to vaccinate their citizens even once.
9"We don't see the data yet that would inform a decision about whether or not booster doses are needed," said Kate O'Brien.
10She is director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization (WHO).
11O'Brien said the WHO is forming a group of experts to examine available data on virus variants and the effectiveness of vaccines before issuing advice on future vaccination programs.
12The chief of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, has said people will "likely" need a yearly booster of the company's vaccine to keep high levels of immunity against COVID-19 and its variants.
13Such a booster would be similar to yearly shots many people are urged to get to protect themselves against influenza infection.
14Dr. Tom Frieden is the former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
15He disagrees with that idea.
16"There is zero, and I mean zero, evidence to suggest that that is the case," he told Reuters.
17"It's completely inappropriate to say that we're likely to need a (yearly) booster, because we have no idea what the likelihood of that is," Frieden added.
18Frieden is now head of the international public health campaign Resolve to Save Lives.
19Pfizer reacted to the criticism by saying it expects a need for boosters while the virus is still spreading widely.
20That need could lessen when the pandemic is more fully controlled, a company spokeswoman said.
21Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said his company aims to produce a vaccine by the autumn that targets a variant first identified in South Africa.
22He said he expects repeat boosters will be needed.
23The United States is preparing to have booster doses available for Americans.
24The European Union, Britain and Israel have ordered new supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to deploy as protective boosters.
25Some health experts say vaccine makers are right to plan for boosters since no one knows what will be needed in the future.
26Richard Hatchett is the chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has financed many vaccine projects.
27He told Reuters that if the vaccine producers have the doses on hand, governments can then decide for themselves whether to buy the products.
28I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Some scientists say there is growing evidence that yearly booster shots may not be needed to protect people against COVID-19. 2Vaccine developers have been advising that the world will need yearly booster injections to remain protected. Vaccine producers have also suggested that new vaccines might be necessary to fight new virus versions, also called variants. 3But these suggestions were disputed by more than 12 influential disease and vaccine development experts who recently spoke to Reuters news agency reporters. 4Some of the scientists expressed concern that public expectations around COVID-19 boosters are being set by drug company executives rather than health specialists. Still, many agreed that preparing for such a need as a precaution was reasonable. 5The scientists fear that a push by wealthy nations for repeat vaccination as early as this year will deepen the divide with poorer countries that are struggling to buy vaccines. In some nations, it may take years to vaccinate their citizens even once. 6"We don't see the data yet that would inform a decision about whether or not booster doses are needed," said Kate O'Brien. She is director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization (WHO). 7O'Brien said the WHO is forming a group of experts to examine available data on virus variants and the effectiveness of vaccines before issuing advice on future vaccination programs. 8The chief of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, has said people will "likely" need a yearly booster of the company's vaccine to keep high levels of immunity against COVID-19 and its variants. Such a booster would be similar to yearly shots many people are urged to get to protect themselves against influenza infection. 9Dr. Tom Frieden is the former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He disagrees with that idea. "There is zero, and I mean zero, evidence to suggest that that is the case," he told Reuters. 10"It's completely inappropriate to say that we're likely to need a (yearly) booster, because we have no idea what the likelihood of that is," Frieden added. Frieden is now head of the international public health campaign Resolve to Save Lives. 11Pfizer reacted to the criticism by saying it expects a need for boosters while the virus is still spreading widely. That need could lessen when the pandemic is more fully controlled, a company spokeswoman said. 12Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said his company aims to produce a vaccine by the autumn that targets a variant first identified in South Africa. He said he expects repeat boosters will be needed. 13The United States is preparing to have booster doses available for Americans. The European Union, Britain and Israel have ordered new supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to deploy as protective boosters. 14Some health experts say vaccine makers are right to plan for boosters since no one knows what will be needed in the future. 15Richard Hatchett is the chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has financed many vaccine projects. He told Reuters that if the vaccine producers have the doses on hand, governments can then decide for themselves whether to buy the products. 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 19___________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21booster - n. a small amount of a substance given to increase the effect of the same substance given sometime before, to continue to protect a person from getting sick 22precaution - n. an action that is done to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous from happening 23dose - n. the amount of medication to be taken at one time 24immunity - n. the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease 25inappropriate - adj. not suitable