Struck by the wave of the Delta variant, the United States is divided on the relevance of a vaccine booster against Covid-19. Philip Krause and Marion Gruber, two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) researchers responsible for the case, resigned in August, unofficially due to pressure from their superiors and the Biden administration to approve a vaccine booster.
This Monday, September 13, the two researchers published in the British medical journal The Lancet, with sixteen other colleagues, a vitriolic forum against a vaccine booster, based on the examination of epidemiological data. “To date, none of these studies has provided credible data proving a substantial drop in protection against the severe form of the disease”, accuses the tribune written by Philip Krause. “The message that a booster may soon be needed, if not supported by solid data and analysis, could undermine confidence in vaccines and undermine the message about the importance of primary immunization. ” Recalls could include “Risks” if they are “ introduced too early or too frequently ”, say the researchers, who point to the side effects “Like myocarditis, which is more common after the second dose of some messenger RNA vaccines [vaccins de Pfizer et Moderna] or Guillain-Barré syndrome, which has been associated with Covid-19 adenovirus vector vaccines [Johnson & Johnson] “.
In conclusion, even if the vaccines do not prevent the asymptomatic spread of the Delta variant, the forum considers that they are effective against the symptomatic and severe forms triggered by said variant and call, as requested by the World Health Organization ( WHO), to use the doses available for people who have not yet received an injection: “The vaccines currently available are safe, effective and save lives. These limited supply vaccines will save the most lives if they are made available to people who are at appreciable risk of serious illness and have not yet received a vaccine. “
Divisions among scientists
The case reveals divisions among scientists in the US government and increases pressure on President Joe Biden, who announced, at the end of August, the launch of a generalized recall for those over 16 years of age from September 20, eight months after the first injection. However, the FDA had not given the green light, while the laboratories had not formally submitted their request, which had created a controversy. In his September 9 address, President Biden was forced to catch up “Some confusion about recalls” : “ The decision to inject the boosters, timing, and their administration will be left entirely to scientists at the FDA and the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC). But in the meantime, we’ve done our part: we’ve purchased enough booster doses and the delivery system is ready to deliver them. “
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