Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
People 50 And Older Can Get Second Covid Booster
Stat: U.S. Approves Second Covid-19 Booster For People 50 And Older
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized second Covid-19 boosters for people 50 years and older for those who want them. People 50 and older are now eligible for another shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines four months after their last dose, the FDA said. Health officials cited data from Israel showing that second boosters increased antibody levels, while other studies from Israel have shown that the shots increased protection against death during the country’s Omicron wave. Much of that data is considered preliminary, and it’s only been a few months since those doses started going into arms. Pfizer and BioNTech also said they submitted data to the FDA showing some waning of effectiveness three to six months out from the first booster shots. (Joseph, 3/29)
The Wall Street Journal: Second Covid-19 Booster Shot Endorsed By FDA, CDC For Adults 50 And Older
Under the moves, the older adults can get the shots at least four months after a first booster dose. People will be able to choose between the two vaccines regardless of whether they earlier received a shot from Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson. In addition, the FDA cleared a second Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose for people 12 years old and up with weakened immune systems and who have received a first booster dose of any authorized Covid-19 vaccine. And the FDA also authorized a second Moderna booster for immunocompromised people 18 years old and above. (Hopkins and Armour, 3/29)
Do you need another booster? —
The Washington Post: CDC: If You Got J&J’s Vaccine And Booster, Consider An MRNA Shot Now
The nearly 17 million Americans who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine are less protected against serious illness and hospitalizations than those who got the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots, according to federal data released Tuesday. The latest data suggest Johnson & Johnson recipients should get a booster with one of the messenger RNA vaccines, if they haven’t already done so — and even consider a second messenger RNA booster for the greatest protection. The data come from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that analyzed the results of mix-and-match vaccine-and-booster combinations during a four-month period when the highly transmissible omicron variant was dominant. (Sun, 3/29)
The New York Times: Should You Get Another Covid Booster?
The scientific evidence for fourth dose is incomplete, at best, and researchers do not agree on whether the shots are needed. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision. (Mandavilli, 3/29)
NPR: 2nd Booster For Over 50? Here's How To Decide If You Need One
Health officials argue that the protection provided by the COVID vaccine booster shots wanes over time. And they are concerned about people considered to be at highest risk of getting severe COVID. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn't make it clear how urgently people should be lining up for second boosters. The agency says these groups are "eligible" for the shots but it stopped short of saying they should get them. And some infectious disease experts say not everyone in this age group needs another shot now. So, if you're wondering whether to get a second booster, here are a few key factors to consider. (Godoy, Aubrey and Greenhalgh, 3/30)
Axios: America's Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Vaccine Approach
The choose-your-own-adventure vibe of the pandemic response is spreading to booster shots, with Americans 50 and older now having the option to get a fourth dose — without explicitly being encouraged to do so. Many experts say yesterday's FDA authorization makes sense as a precautionary measure, but the policy could create more confusion around the long-term vaccination strategy. Authorizing another shot for those who got their last dose at least four months earlier is an added safeguard when it's still unclear how much three doses protect against severe illness over time. The three-dose approach appears to hold up well in the short term. (Owens, 3/30)
Also —
The Hill: White House: Biden Will Receive Second Booster If Doctor Recommends It
White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said on Tuesday that President Biden would receive a second booster if his doctor recommended it after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an additional booster for people aged 50 years and older. “I can speak to the president who will make this decision in consultation with his doctor. Obviously if his doctor recommends that he receive a fourth booster, then he would, but he'll make that decision in consultation with his doctor,” Bedingfield answered in response to whether the president and vice president would be receiving a fourth shot. (Vakil, 3/29)
