Authorities are “continuously” considering new data, so a fourth COVID-19 shot may be recommended this fall. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection)

As the world celebrates its second anniversary Covid-19 Pandemic Declaration According to the World Health Organization, on March 11, more countries are discussing the possibility of starting a fourth dose of the most vulnerable coronavirus vaccine. In the United States, major public health authorities say they are “very carefully” monitoring whether or when a fourth dose is needed.

Israel was the first country Deploy a fourth doseIn December, adults over the age of 60, healthcare professionals, and people with a depressed immune system are eligible to receive additional shots at least 4 months after the third dose. Was announced.

recently, Announced by the Swedish Public Health Agency Last week, a second booster was recommended for all people over the age of 80 in the country.The Announced by the UK Department of Health On Monday, a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be provided in the spring to adults aged 75 and over, residents of elderly care facilities, and immunosuppressed people aged 12 and over.

In the United States, health officials emphasized at the end of last year: No fourth dose was needed yet He said it was too early to discuss the potential fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine for most people.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is “actually continually looking at new data on pandemics and mutations in the United States and abroad to assess the potential usefulness and composition of booster effects,” the FDA said. Allison Hunt, a spokeswoman for, writes by email. To CNN on Friday.

She said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biopharmaceutical Evaluation and Research, said there was still a lot of uncertainty about how the pandemic would progress further, but a fourth dose is possible. He said it could be. It is recommended because it will be autumn.

The autumn timeline coincides with the implementation of influenza vaccinations.This is a respiratory virus such as coronavirus or influenza Winter peak It continues.

“As more data on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, including the use of booster doses, become available, we continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and inform the general public. I will continue to do it, “Hunt wrote. “The decision that additional booster immunization is needed is based on data available to the authorities.”

If the FDA approves a fourth dose to the general public, the next step is to review the data before recommending use, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did for other coronavirus vaccine recommendations. am.

“Vaccination and booster immunization are important”

Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have recently improved significantly in the United States. As of Friday, cases were down 44%, hospitalizations were down 26%, and deaths were down 13%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergic Infectious Diseases, said, “Vaccination and boosting to maintain its downward trajectory, especially when talking about the red curve of serious illnesses that lead to hospitalization. It will be important. ” White House Covid-19 Task Force Briefing Wednesday.

The “potential future requirements” for an additional boost or fourth dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech or Modena mRNA vaccine, or a third dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, are “very carefully monitored in real time.” “There is,” Forch said. “And, as the data evolves, the recommendations are updated as needed.”

The CDC does not recommend the general public to receive a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine, but authorities have said. Updated guidelines in October Please note that certain people with moderate or severe immunity may receive a fourth dose of the Moderna or Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine.

“For people with immunity, a single booster shot continues to provide a high level of protection against the serious illness caused by Omicron,” Fauci said Wednesday. “This is already a second booster shot (ie, a fourth dose of mRNA) because we know that many people with weakened immunity have a poor response to the first regimen. Not to be confused with the fact that is recommended. “

Meanwhile, vaccine makers continue to study fourth doses in a wider population.

“We recognize the need for preparation.”

Pfizer announced in January that it is studying the safety and efficacy of a fourth dose as part of this. Ongoing study of Omicron-specific coronavirus vaccine Among healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 55.

Participants were divided into three cohorts for the study. One includes 600 people who received the current Pfizer / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine three times before enrolling in the study. As part of the study, they will receive either a fourth dose of the current vaccine or a dose of an omicron-based vaccine.

“Current research and actual data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe illness and hospitalization from Omicron, but in case this protection diminishes over time, Omicron. Said Kathrin Jansen, Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer, in a company presentation.

A Studies published by the CDC Last week, protection against Covid-19 hospitalizations and emergency or emergency treatment visits was shown to be much higher after the third vaccination than after the second vaccination, but the protection weakened over time. it was done.

Omicron variants predominate in the United States, with vaccine efficacy at 87% for Covid-19 emergency or emergency treatment visits and 91% for hospitalization 2 months after the third dose. did. According to the data, efficacy dropped to 66% and 78%, respectively, by the 4th month.

“Nevertheless, level 78 is still a good protected area,” Fauci said Wednesday.

Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics at the University of Washington, told CNN on Friday that the fourth dose is “almost meaningless” so far.

“Because Omicron is gone, the immunity of the third dose will be weakened, so the fourth dose will probably be reduced as well. Therefore, when there is a new variant, or for next winter, the push time for the fourth dose So I’d like to measure it, so for now, I don’t think it makes much sense unless your immune system is weakened or you’re old, unless you’re at personal risk. “

Studies showing that immunity weakens after the third dose have led to more debate about whether or when a fourth dose is needed.

“Like everything else, the health department looks at this data coming out and waits for guidance from the CDC and pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies are monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines,” said National’s chief executive officer. Responsible Lori Tremmel Freeman said. The county and city health authorities’ association told CNN on Friday.

The timing of the fourth dose depends not only on weakened immunity, but also on “whether more variants emerge and what is discovered regarding additional vaccine efficacy against emerging new infections. I will, “says Freeman.

If a fourth dose is required, “the health department will enter a mode to prepare for the fourth dose in the same way as the previous dose,” Freeman said. However, a greater concern among local public health officials is the slow pace and slow pace of those who complete the third dose, she said.

As of Friday, about 65% of the US population has been fully vaccinated in at least the first series, and about 28% of the population has been boosted, according to the CDC.However The pace of booster dose being administered is slowing down To one of the slowest rates ever.

“Over time, if a fourth dose is needed, we are already lagging behind those who receive the third dose,” Freeman said. “Therefore, suddenly, a significant portion of the population may not be up to date with the vaccine. This could mean that the vaccine could be delayed with two doses and more people could get sick. Because there is. “

The-CNN-Wire

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