After the largest waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is likely to move to routine – similar to flu – in terms of SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis in the future. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel unanimously recommended an annual booster vaccination on Thursday, the U.S. pharmaceutical information service Stat announced on Friday.
“The panel unanimously voted 21 in favor of vaccine manufacturers Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax harmonizing their vaccines for the first shot. These vaccinations should contain antigens (in the case of mRNA vaccines, the “construction instructions”; note) from the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 as well as a new omicron variant,” the statement said.
Two doses for children, the elderly and the immunocompromised
The booster should be provided annually and should be sufficient for most people. The vaccine for the annual booster vaccination must be adapted to the circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. That would be very similar to seasonal flu. For the elderly, people with a weakened immune system, and for young children, two doses of the vaccine should be given.
People over the age of 60/65 already respond worse to vaccinations. This also applies to people with a weak immune system, for example people with certain previous illnesses or medical therapies that weaken the immune system.
A completely new approval of the adapted vaccine is not necessary
In any case, the procedure for adapting the vaccine to the current pathogen strains is also important for annual vaccination. In the case of influenza, antigen selection is carried out regularly by WHO for the southern and northern hemispheres of the world, for the north every year during these weeks. A completely new approval of the adapted vaccine by the pharmaceutical authorities is no longer necessary. The vaccine has been modified in terms of antigen content.
US: 16 times more hospital admissions for unvaccinated people
Last weekend, German virologist Ulrike Protzer explained on Austrian Vaccination Day in Vienna that unvaccinated people in the US were enough compared to the first
Immunized vaccine variants had shown a 16 times higher rate of hospital admissions. A booster with a new vaccine adapted to BA.4/5 results in a 2.7 times lower hospitalization rate for a breakthrough infection.
The positive effect is also evident in subsequent virus mutants. According to FDA experts, an Israeli study not yet subject to the peer review process (expert opinion) has shown that the new bivalent vaccine (BA.4/5) as a booster in people over 65 leads to a new vaccination compared to no new vaccination 81 percent fewer hospital admissions and 86 percent lower mortality rate.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
