Washington: As India concentrates on vaccinating a higher percentage of its eligible population in its fight against COVID-19, countries like the US are focusing more and more on booster doses, especially for the vulnerable group.
With India closing in on the massive milestone of completing 100 crore vaccine doses in the next few days, US health advisers have endorsed booster shot for another vaccine candidate.
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Pfizer booster doses were rolled out last month for those elderly and young adults who are at high risk from COVID-19 due to poor health, jobs or living conditions. The third dose has been recommended at least six months after completing their initial vaccination.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has now recommended the same approach for half-dose Moderna boosters and also endorsed a booster shot of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.
The agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services cited concerns about people who took got the single-dose shot J & J vaccine, saying they aren’t as protected as those who received two-dose brands.
FDA’s advisory panel suggested that the booster dose should be offered at least two months after people got their first shot.
The FDA is expected to authorize boosters for both J & J and Moderna soon.
Around 188 million Americans are fully vaccinated till date, of whom most have opted for Pfizer and Moderna. J & J accounts for about 15 million.
