Faced with the ravages of the Delta variant, the Biden administration wants to ensure the good protection of people already vaccinated, failing to force the recalcitrant. The White House announced, Wednesday, August 18, that the latter could receive a third dose, as of September 20, since the previous one – of the vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna – dates from eight months ago. People vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson, given as a single dose, should also be given a booster.
This measure will first affect caregivers and employees working in retirement homes, as well as the elderly. “This is the best way to protect ourselves from new variants that might arrive”, Joe Biden said. As of August 18, 809 deaths were recorded on average every day in the country, an increase of 97% in two weeks, bringing the total to 624,365 deaths.
To date, nearly 200 million Americans have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
The American Medicines Agency (FDA) will still have to validate this extension measure and decide on the principle of a second dose for children over 12 years old, who could be vaccinated as of May.
Last week, US health authorities recommended a third dose for people who are immunocompromised, such as those who have had an organ transplant or who are suffering from cancer. A generalization of this recall campaign represents a considerable effort, while to date nearly 200 million Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine against Covid-19, or nearly 60% of the population.
The health authorities are relying in particular on the publication on Wednesday of several studies showing a decline, over time, in protection against Covid-19. One of them, carried out in New York State between May 3 and July 25, showed a drop from 91.7% to 79.8% in the effectiveness of vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. “We are concerned that this downward trend that we are seeing will continue in the months to come, which could result in reduced protection against severe forms of illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” explained Vivek Murthy, chief medical officer of the United States.
Relaxation of barrier gestures
Opinions differ on the real interest of a third dose, beyond the frail. Besides that it could further reinforce skepticism in the ranks of people doubtful, even fiercely opposed to vaccines, it would not have a decisive impact, some experts believe. The decrease in protection could also be due, faced with the aggressiveness of the Delta variant, to a relaxation of barrier measures and the wearing of a mask.
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