Pfizer seeks US authorisation for second Covid booster dose

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech have requested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow a second booster dose of their Covid-19 vaccine for seniors in the US. The companies stated that the effect of vaccines declines after some time, and booster doses are required for people aged 65 or above because their immunity is most compromised. They cited data from a study of Israel's health ministry which states that the infection rate was two times lower among seniors who were given a second booster dose than those who received only one. The study also showed that the fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose provided threefold protection against severe illness.

Earlier, Pfizer CEO Alberto Bourla has stated that the third dose of vaccine was able only to reduce the number of hospitalisation due to Covid-19, and it did not bring down the risk of infections. He added that the fourth dose is necessary to minimise the Covid-19 transmission rate. He further clarified that there was no need to give doses every month, but immunocompromised sections like people aged 65 and above may need booster doses every six months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also recommended second booster doses for people with low immunity. It said, however, the booster dose should be given at least five months after the complete vaccination. The CDC also informed that about 44% of the fully vaccinated US population had received a booster shot. As per the CDC, about 65% of the US population has become fully vaccinated.


Although studies have shown that booster dose can improve the immune system, some researchers are divided on the efficacy of the second booster dose due to the availability of limited data.

The FDA has been reviewing the application filed by Pfizer and is expected to authorise the second booster dose by September. Meanwhile, US health authorities have been asking fully vaccinated people to get a booster dose.

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