Fourth Dose, Booster Deux Info...

The 4th shot data, above, are from a large cohort Israeli study currently under peer review that shows that a 4th shot/2nd booster of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine significantly decreased mortality in folks 60 years old and over who received their third shot/1st booster four months earlier or more.

But those data were gathered during the big Delta variant wave in Israel.

And now we're getting ready for Omicron-2.

However, now that the US FDA has announced that 4th mRNA shots are available for folks 50 years plus in the States there is a lot of chatter about efficacy.

Unfortunately, there just aren't a lot of large cohort data sets in yet. And one of the other issues to consider is the coming of the Omicron-specific vaccines.

Eric Topol of the Scripps Institute, who has proven his bonafides over and over again during the pandemic, has this to say in his latest longform post on the subject:

"...I would recommend the 2nd booster if you are more than 4-6 months from your 3rd shot, you are age 50+, you tolerated the previous shots well, and you are concerned about the BA.2 wave where you live, or that it’s getting legs as you are trying to decide. Or if you are traveling or have plans that would put you at increased risk.

It can certainly be deferred, but the question is when is the right time, and whether an Omicron-specific vaccine will have any advantage over a 2nd booster directed at the original strain. The data from 2 animal models (macaques and mouse models) suggests there may not be advantage of the Omicron-specific vaccine but that may not correlate with its effect in people. From my discussions with FDA, it is not likely the Omicron-specific vaccine will be available before late May or June. So you can factor that uncertain added benefit and timeline into your decision..."

So, there is clearly some grey here, particularly for non-seniors, which likely explains the reason that the province of British Columbia is being cautious so far:

...B.C. Health Minister, Adrian Dix says the province is well aware many people are hitting the six month mark since their last injection in long-term care homes.

“We are generally amongst the first provinces to move on these things and I expect you’ll see soon that this is an issue under active review. When you get a dose, it is sometimes dependent on the previous doses.” said Dix.

Dix specifically points to the six month mark as a potential fourth dose roll-out date. That would be this April for long-term care residents who received their third dose back in October.

“A key priority for us continues to be ensuring those most vulnerable to COVID-19, who have been given priority at every stage in our B.C vaccination program continue to see their health protected to the maximum possible extent,” Dix said.

“I think you’ll hear something from Dr. Henry and myself very soon.”...


Here's a little more from Dr. Topol:

"...If you had 3 shots and an Omicron breakthrough infection, there’s little need for getting a 2nd booster at this point. You’ve got some hybrid immunity and you can save an extra shot, if or when there’s ultimately supportive evidence for a later time.

If you haven’t had your 1st booster, you’re long overdue to get it. It was lifesaving vs Delta for people age 50+ and vital for maintaining high level of protection vs severe disease from the Omicron family of variants..."

Finishing up, a wee bit off-topic but not really (see image at top of post)...

Honestly, for folks that have already had two jabs, why wouldn't they get their third shot/first booster given the clearly demonstrated efficacy? 

The decreased numbers in that regard in B.C. are startling and could really be a personal and public health issue when the Omicron-2 wave arrives in Lotusland:

...93.8% (4,056,892) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 91.5% (3,956,215) have received their second dose and 59.3% (2,564,549) have received a third dose...



.