https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/cdc-panel-says-more-evidence-needed-for-booster-recommendation/ar-AANUqpy?ocid=msedgntp
CDC panel says more evidence needed for booster recommendation
Nathaniel Weixel 3 hrs ago
Missouri prosecutor files motion to free longtime inmate
U.S. has capacity to evacuate remaining Americans, WH officials say
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel on Monday indicated it could take a substantially different approach to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines than the one proposed by the Biden administration.
Members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said the evidence on boosters is not clear and indicated it would likely consider a risk-based approach that would prioritize residents of long-term care facilities and health workers rather than all eligible Americans at once.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to maintain high protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death. While some studies have found some waning of effectiveness against infection, members of the panel said the evidence is not clear enough to justify a booster recommendation.
Vaccine efficacy has ranged between 39 percent and 84 percent, according to several studies.
The panel's vaccine working group said it believes the top priority for a booster dose policy should be preventing severe disease in high-risk people. Preventing mild disease is not recommended and may not even be possible.
Almost all hospitalizations are occurring among the unvaccinated, and panel members emphasized a focus on outreach to the unvaccinated rather than planning to boost the people who are already vaccinated.