Booster doses of vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna have already been authorized by US officials
The European Medicines Agency said on Monday that a booster dose of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine “may be considered” in people 18 years of age and older.
In a statement, the European Union’s drug regulator said its analysis showed that the third dose of Moderna’s vaccine – which is usually given in a two-dose schedule – at least six months after the second dose, showed no antibodies. level increased. adults whose levels were declining. A booster dose is usually half the dose given to adults.
The EMA said currently available data suggest that the incidence of side effects seen after a second dose of Moderna’s vaccine is known to cause temporary heart and chest swelling in a small number of people.
“At a national level, public health bodies may issue official recommendations on the use of booster doses, taking into account the local epidemiological situation,” the agency said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the EMA said that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNtech could also be considered. It also recommended a third dose of vaccines for people with compromised immune systems.
Booster doses of vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna have already been authorized by US officials, but there are still restrictions on who is eligible.
Six months before their last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, people are urged to check if they are 65 years of age or older, a nursing home resident, or at least 50 and at risk of serious illness because of health problems. has increased.
Boosters were also allowed, but not so, for adults of any age at increased risk of infection because of health problems or their job or living conditions. This includes health care workers, teachers and people in prisons or homeless shelters. And as recommended by European officials, Moderna’s booster will come at half the dose of the original two shots.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly reprimanded wealthy countries for introducing booster doses, saying there is no scientific evidence that the shots are appropriate and stating that authorized vaccines lead to hospitalizations and deaths months after vaccination. remain strongly protective against.
It has urged rich countries to immediately donate their COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries, which have received less than 1% of the world’s limited supply.