The core of the discussion about a third corona jab is not the question of whether such a ‘booster dose’ offers more protection, but at which level that protection is most needed: nationally or globally? Three weeks ago, the WHO called on rich countries to refrain from a third round of injections because of a worldwide shortage of vaccines. ‘We are now making conscious choices not to protect people in need’, waarschuwde director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
For the British government, its own population comes first. In the UK, 56 percent of the population has already received a second vaccine dose. According to The Telegraph people aged fifty and older and other vulnerable groups a third shot from next month get it in their upper arm.
Israel
Britain is following Israel’s example. Since last Sunday, people over 60 can get a third vaccination there. The first third jab went to Israeli President Isaac Herzog. So far, Israel is the only country to offer this opportunity.
In Britain, pharmacies will play a key role in the third round of vaccinations. The campaign could start as early as September 6. By administering an average of almost 2.5 million third doses per week, all vulnerable people should be additionally protected by early December. A government source tells The Telegraph that the third corona jab may be combined with the annual flu jab: a needle in each arm.
The concerned British ministers are considering giving people a different booster shot than the injection they received for their first and second doses, because combining vaccines could lead to increased immunity.
Pfizer at BioNTech
Pharmaceuticals Pfizer and BioNTech have also asked the US and European health authorities for permission to administer their vaccine a third time in humans. According to them, an extra shot can significantly increase the amount of antibodies in a person’s body. Ideally, the third shot would follow six to 12 months after the second shot.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US equivalent of RIVM, does not consider a third vaccine dose necessary at this time. Anthony Fauci, the chief health adviser to the Biden administration, also thinks it is too early to talk about the need for a third shot.
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