Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – The age groups that can receive a second booster dose against “Covid-19” increased after health officials in the United States announced that the number of people eligible to receive a fourth dose of the “Pfizer” and “Moderna” vaccines increased. It’s getting bigger.
Adults 50 years of age and older who have received 3 doses of the vaccine can get a second booster dose, at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
Anyone who has received two doses of the “Johnson & Johnson” vaccine can receive an additional dose of the “Pfizer” or “Moderna” vaccines 4 months after receiving the booster dose.
Many people are wondering does this mean that everyone will need an annual booster dose of COVID-19? Do we need booster doses more frequently? Will it be combined with the flu vaccine? Will new vaccines be developed that target the new mutant? Should I wait to get the booster or get it now?
CNN Clinical Analyst Dr. Liana Winn answers these questions.
CNN: Will everyone need a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine every year?
Dr. Lina Wayne: We don’t know yet. There are a lot of variables here, and only time and constant research will tell.
We don’t know how long the immune protection from the vaccine and the first booster will last, though, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the first booster is very important.
During the time when Omicron was the dominant mutant, the effectiveness of the three doses against acute disease remained as high as 94%, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Control. If it turns out that this percentage of protection is significantly reduced, this will indicate the need for a second booster dose.
Current vaccines work well against sub-mutants of Omicron, but if there are future mutations that evade acquired immunity from the vaccine, this is another reason to receive additional vaccinations.
There is a need to monitor the spread of COVID-19. Currently, the disease is still widespread in the world, but if it starts to fade, there is probably no need for regular boosters.
Finally, there is a need to know whether COVID-19 is seasonal in the future.
CNN: Currently, a second booster is already allowed 4 months after the first, which means that the booster against COVID-19 is supposed to be received more than once a year.
where: It is possible, I want to emphasize that there is a lot that we do not know and do not have the ability to predict for the future.
There are two different scenarios, one is that certain groups of people may need vaccinations more frequently, and there is a recommendation for people with moderately or severely weakened immunity to receive an additional booster dose months ago.
It is possible that, from now on, it is recommended that some vulnerable populations be given more frequent vaccinations than the general population.
In addition, there will also be a need to prepare for contingency if a new mutant emerges that evades previous immunity, with an option to rapidly develop, manufacture and distribute different types of vaccines.
If this happens, you may end up receiving booster doses more than once a year for a certain period of time.
Going forward, we need to consider the availability of other treatments and mitigating preventive measures as well, such as antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies that are effective when given early in the course of the disease. Other preventive measures, including wearing masks and getting tested for COVID-19, can reduce risks as well.
CNN: If the COVID-19 vaccine was to be given annually, would it make sense to combine it with the flu vaccine?
where: In theory, yes, but we don’t know if the COVID-19 vaccine needs an annual dose.
It’s possible that the Covid vaccine will only require 3 or 4 additional doses, or we may need to update it as frequently as the flu vaccine, we don’t know yet. And if it ends up being a yearly vaccine, getting a combined dose, or at least getting it at the same time as the flu shot, would make sense.
CNN: Why aren’t there specific vaccines targeting Omicron?
where: Scientists are now working on these vaccines by testing them and dose-testing the omicron mutant to see if they will be more effective than the original vaccines, which targeted the previously dominant mutant.
There are considerations associated with the emergence of additional mutants. Scientists should consider whether Omicron or the original vaccine, or a combination of both, would be more effective against potential future mutations.
CNN: If people are eligible for boosters now, should they get them, or should they wait?
where: It depends on the individual’s medical conditions and how much they need to avoid contracting COVID-19.
Preferably people over 65 or immunocompromised get the extra booster dose now.
On the other hand, people aged 50 to 65 years who do not have medical problems and have previously had an omicron infection can wait.
CNN: What are your recommendations for booster doses for people under 50?
where: Everyone must receive the first booster dose if eligible.
People under 50 with moderate or severe immunodeficiency should also get a second booster dose.
The other group that should receive a second booster dose, even if they are under 50 years old, are those who received two doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and it was 4 months since they received the last dose.
Therefore, other groups under 50 are not currently eligible to receive the second booster dose.