A new study has suggested that a second COVID-19 booster shot could decrease death rates among infected individuals by roughly 78% compared to those who only had one additional shot as the US plans to vaccinate Americans aged 50 and up.
The research, conducted by Israel's Clalit Health Services, which is the largest healthcare provider in the nation, included more than half a million people aged 60 to 100 and lasted 40 days. Roughly 58% of the participants had already gotten their second booster, while the rest only had one. All of the participants received booster shots from Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company.
Second Booster Shot
The researchers recorded 92 deaths in the first group and 232 deaths in the second, smaller group. Ronen Arbel, the Health Outcomes Researcher at Clalit and Sapir College, said that the main conclusion from the study was that the second booster shot is a life-saving treatment.
The Israel report was issued as a preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed, but it is also known to have excluded people who got the Moderna vaccine or those who had taken an oral anti-COVID therapy, as per Global News.
United States President Joe Biden's administration plans to make the most of the situation and plans to offer residents over the age of 50 the option to get a second COVID-19 booster. While this will not mandate them to get the shot, it would provide them with the choice to receive the potentially life-saving treatment.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could authorize the second booster shots for the age group as soon as Tuesday. The FDA vaccine advisory committee was expected to consider the additional booster shot proposal on Apr. 6.
According to 6ABC, a recent study showed data that suggests that a fourth vaccine shot could prevent severe illnesses in recipients. Experts said that the additional booster shot is currently available for people who are immunocompromised.
New Coronavirus Wave
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will issue guidance on how best to implement the new process in pharmacies and doctors' offices around the nation. Their guidance will come after the FDA's expected authorization this week.
Despite the Biden administration's plan to recommend the second booster shot, many uncertainties have complicated the situation. This includes how long the protection from a second booster would last, how to tell the public about the process, and whether or not the overall goal is to protect American citizens from severe disease.
Authorities will primarily base their decision on when the next outbreak of coronavirus infections will arrive in the country. Many experts see the second booster shot as a potential shield that could ward off severe consequences should a virulent surge hit the United States in the next few months.
But if a new wave of coronavirus infections does not occur, additional shots could turn out to be a questionable intervention. Many argue that it would only result in wasted doses, deepens vaccination fatigue, and lead to doubt of the government's strategy, the New York Times reported.
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