“Even in view of the Delta threat, booster vaccinations for the general population are not appropriate at this stage of the pandemic,” said a report published on Monday in the specialist magazine “The Lancet”. Countries like Israel, fearing the more contagious Delta variant, have begun offering a booster vaccination to every citizen, while the vaccine supply to poorer countries is still stalling and millions of people have not yet received their first vaccination.
The scientists, including experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), reviewed observational studies and clinical studies and found that the vaccines are still highly effective against severe symptoms of Covid-19 for all major virus variants. The current variants have not evolved sufficiently to evade the immune response of the vaccines currently in use.
Focus on vaccine distribution
“Overall, the studies currently available do not provide credible evidence of significantly lower protection against serious illness, which is the main goal of vaccination,” said WHO author Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo.
Therefore, the focus should be on the global distribution of the vaccine and not on a third vaccination. “If the vaccines are used where they are most beneficial, they could accelerate the end of the pandemic by preventing the further development of variants,” said Henao-Restrepo.
The authors also argue that in the event that new, resistant virus variants emerge, it would be better to give booster vaccinations adapted to these instead of relying on a third vaccination with existing vaccines. Various countries are currently offering a booster vaccination to elderly and particularly vulnerable people. Israel now offers a third vaccination to everyone aged twelve and over.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
