Geneva Jan. 22 (BNA): The World Health Organization said boosters for the coronavirus vaccine must now be given to people, starting with the most vulnerable, in a move away from its previous insistence that boosters are not necessary for healthy adults and an acknowledgment that the Associated Press (AP) has reported The vaccine supply is improving globally.
In a press briefing on Friday, the UN health agency said it is now recommending booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, starting with the highest-priority groups, about four to six months after the first two doses are received, in line with guidance from dozens of countries that have legislated In promotion programs for months.
Last year, the World Health Organization appealed to rich countries to declare a moratorium on booster doses until the end of 2021, a call that was almost completely ignored.
The agency said its expert vaccine team evaluated the increasing data on booster doses and noted the waning of immune protection over time. Several studies in recent months have shown that booster doses restore antibody levels and provide powerful protection against severe disease, including against COVID-19 variants such as delta and omicron.
“Boosters are part of the vaccination programme, but this does not mean unrestricted use for all ages,” said Dr Kate O’Brien of the World Health Organization, director of immunization, vaccines and biologicals. “We remain more focused on vaccinating the highest priority groups,” she said.
The World Health Organization has also endorsed the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children up to five years of age at a reduced dose. Countries including the United States and Canada gave the green light to a Pfizer dose for young children last fall.
AOQ