We will consider booster shot, if immunity is waning: Dr. Vivek Murthy

If the immunity is found waning, there is a need for a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. “We will have the supply to provide it to the public,” US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told CNN on Tuesday.

“We have to look at data from multiple sources, and not just from the United States but other nations. All of that will go towards the decision on whether or not to recommend a booster or not. I think it’s very possible a booster will be needed, but what we are really looking at proper evidence that immunity is waning, that’s consequential in terms of more breakthrough infections,” said Murthy, vice admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Earlier, Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE had said that they would urge US and European regulators in coming weeks to authorize a booster dose in the wake of increased infection rates.

“We’re looking at that population to determine whether a third of the vaccine may be required. As soon as we see data that compelling, we will make that recommendation,” Dr. Vivek Murthy said.

However, as many countries have been facing vaccination crunch, many vaccine experts have urged the government to examine the requirement of a booster shot before allowing it.

“It’s disappointing that with such a complicated decision they took such a unilateral approach,” Dr. Larry Corey virologist at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center said.