The US is set to start offering a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to Americans starting from September 2021, pending FDA review
Individuals who received their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine 8 months ago will be offered the shots.
This was disclosed in a joint statement released on Wednesday by the country’s top health officials – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Anthony Fauci and others.
“The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant,” the statement said, in part.
“Recognizing that many vaccines are associated with a reduction in protection over time, and acknowledging that additional vaccine doses could be needed to provide long-lasting protection, we have been analyzing the scientific data closely from the United States and around the world to understand how long this protection will last and how we might maximize this protection.”
“For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability,” the statement continued.
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“We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence.”
The officials said they are “prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose.”
“Our top priority remains staying ahead of the virus and protecting the American people from COVID-19 with safe, effective and long-lasting vaccines especially in the context of a constantly changing virus and epidemiologic landscape,” the statement said.
“We will continue to follow the science on a daily basis, and we are prepared to modify this plan should new data emerge that requires it.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
