Monday’s approval by the European Union’s drug regulator was given for booster shots of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 18 and over.
According to the European Medicines Agency, booster doses can be considered for 18-year-olds and over at least six months after the first dose.
After reviewing data from the Pfizer vaccine, the agency’s human medicine committee recommended the recommendation. The data showed an increase in antibody levels 6 months after boosters were administered to people aged 18-55 years.
A third dose of the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccine should be given to severely weakened patients at least 28 days following their first shot.
According to the agency, the decision was made after research showed that extra vaccines could increase the ability of people to make antibodies against COVID-19. This virus causes organ transplant patients with weak immune systems.
The agency stated in a statement that although there is no direct evidence to support the production of antibodies in these patients, it is possible that an extra dose will increase protection at most in some patients.”
These recommendations are sent to all 27 EU countries’ health authorities. Some countries have already started to administer booster shots.
Numerous studies have shown that Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are still highly protective for months after the second dose. This dramatically reduces the chance of death or hospitalization.
The chief of the World Health Organization had advised wealthy countries not to use booster shots this year. He said there was no scientific evidence that these shots are needed. He stated that COVID-19 vaccines could be better used in developing countries where many still have not had their first vaccination shot.
Last month, the United States launched a campaign to give boosters of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for millions of Americans. Federal health officials stressed that the main problem is getting the first shots to unvaccinated.
At least 4.8 Million people have been killed by the coronavirus pandemic.