COVID Booster: The study was based on over 241,204 visits to the emergency department.
Washington:
The effectiveness of the third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines declines substantially by the fourth month of administration, a new study from the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday.
Although it is now well documented that vaccine effectiveness decreases after two doses, relatively little has been published on the duration of protection following a booster.
The new study was based on more than 241,204 visits to the emergency department or urgent care clinic, and 93,408 hospitalizations, which are more severe, among adults with COVID-19.E.g. sickness during August 26, 2021- January 22, 2022.
Estimates of vaccine effectiveness by comparing the odds of a positive COVID test between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients and using statistical methods to control for calendar week, geographic area, local transmission, adjusting for age level and patient characteristics such as comorbidities.
During the Omicron-dominant period, vaccine efficacy against COVID-associated emergency department or urgent care visits was 87 percent during the two months following the third dose, but dropped to 66 percent by the fourth month.
The vaccine’s effectiveness against hospitalization was 91 percent in the first two months, but dropped to 78 percent by the fourth month after the third dose.
The authors concluded, “The finding of protection provided by mRNA vaccines in the months after receiving the third vaccine dose reinforces the importance of further consideration of additional doses to maintain or improve protection. “
Speaking at a White House COVID briefing on Wednesday, Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser, said it was likely a fourth dose would be needed for a subset of people who mount a weakened immune response, such as the elderly. and immunologist.
new antibodies authorized
In a separate development on Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a new laboratory-developed antibody treatment called bebtelovimab by pharmaceutical company Lilly.
The drug is administered as an intravenous injection over as little as 30 seconds and has been given the green light to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people 12 and over at high risk of severe disease.
Data supporting the authorization came from a clinical trial showing that the drug has strong promise against Omicron. Lilly’s previous antibody treatment was authorized by the FDA after it was found to be ineffective against this type.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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