“Immune update” for people who have already been vaccinated? Renowned experts are against it. According to their studies, such booster vaccinations are currently not necessary and the vaccine can be better used elsewhere.
A high-level group of experts has spoken out against general corona booster vaccinations at this point in time. “The current study situation shows no need to administer boosters on a broad front in population groups with effective, complete vaccination,” the researchers write in the specialist journal “The Lancet”. “Even given the Delta threat, booster vaccinations for the general population are not appropriate at this stage of the pandemic.”
The globally still limited number of vaccine doses could save most lives if they would benefit people who are at considerable risk of developing a serious illness and who are still unvaccinated, according to the experts. “If vaccines were used where they are most beneficial, they could hasten the end of the pandemic by slowing down the further development of variants.”
Corona vaccination still effective for all variants
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 WHO had already called for a temporary stop of booster vaccinations against the coronavirus at the beginning of August, as long as many poorer countries are waiting for vaccination doses.
Behind the Lancet paper are, among others, Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist of the World Health Organization, and experts from the US FDA. The group reviewed observational and clinical studies, and found that the vaccines were 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.
“The vaccinations available are safe, effective and life-saving,” Swaminathan said, according to a statement. Even if the idea of further reducing the number of Covid cases with boosters is appealing, every decision in this direction must be based on reliable evidence and an international, scientific discussion.
It could be that at some point a booster could be necessary for everyone because the protective effect of the vaccination wanes or because virus variants escape the immune system. However, there are still no clear indications of this. 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. Booster vaccinations could already be considered for certain people, for example those with immunodeficiency.
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.
