Scientists say COVID-19 booster shots aren't needed yet—here's why
For the fully vaccinated, the Pfizer shot generates an immune response that could last years and is protective against severe disease and death.
The past week has been a wild ride for fully vaccinated Americans seeking clarity on whether they will need COVID-19 booster shots—either now or in the future, particularly as more contagious variants emerge.
On July 8, Pfizer and BioNTech announced they planned to seek emergency authorization for a booster dose of their vaccine, saying that their data shows their vaccine’s efficacy is waning and that a booster “may be needed within six to 12 months after full vaccination.” Pfizer representatives later met with U.S. officials to press their case for emergency authorization of a third dose.
U.S. regulators, however, have pushed back on Pfizer’s claims. In a joint statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease
