A Real Boost?

David O'Connor (University of Wisconsin) has commented on the New England Journal of Medicine's report on Israel's experiences with a third ('booster') jab of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on their over 60s (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/27/data-israel-covid-booster-shots-standard). O'Connor notes that the Israelis were stimulated to give a third dose, by their observations on double-vaccinated 60-year olds. People vaccinated 5 months (or longer) previously, were three times more likely to be infected by the Delta variant of Covid19, than counterparts double jabbed more recently. Their initial studies with a third vaccine dose are striking. Two weeks after 1.1 million over 60's received a booster, they were found to be more than 11 times less likely to become infected by the highly contagious Delta variant. Not only were people receiving the booster dose better protected, a barrier was created for the onward transmission of the virus. The third injection was also protecting people who had not been or could not be vaccinated. It appeared that the third vaccine dose, produced an antibody response that was higher in magnitude and wider in breadth against viral variants than that seen after the second vaccine dose. As O'Connor says, the booster jabs were not just an 'immune refresher but an immunological upgrade'. He suggests that the third dose is likely to reduce the need for frequent future boosts by conferring a longer-lasting immunity. Giving a third dose, consequently seems to be an excellent strategy for other populations. O'Connor maintains it is important to carry on attempting to persuade the vaccine-reluctant to get injected. Extra protection for all is, however, conferred by the reduced viral transmission in already enthusiastic over 60's. One might add that it is also important to get people in the poorer parts of the world vaccinated. It shouldn't ever be a case of either booster doses for the rich world or first treatments for the poorer parts. Sufficient quantities of the vaccine can, and should, be made.