It is “likely” that the US population will require a third dose to consider they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, said Anthony Fauci, America’s leading infectious disease expert.
At a press conference at the White House, Dr. Fauci indicated that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have the last word on this matter.
However, the expert said that his professional experience leads him to believe that a third dose of mRNA vaccines will be necessary to offer long-term protection against the coronavirus.
The United States is preparing to give booster vaccines to those Americans who last received mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna five to eight months ago after their second dose, although FDA approval is still required.
The government continues to study the need for a booster dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is a single injection.
A formal resolution of the third dose for a “complete vaccination” would have far-reaching implications for schools, businesses and other entities with vaccination mandates.
The White House coordinator in the fight against COVID-19, Jeff Zients, said that the federal government will put the “same intensity” in encouraging Americans to receive a booster injection as the initial vaccination campaign.
–
