BA.2, or “stealth omicron,” is driving up COVID cases in the U.K. and other countries.
points out, vaccines seem to still prevent severe illness with both BA.1 and BA.2, and infection with the former seems to provide antibodies to fend off the latter.
Naturally, you might still be wondering: Does an even more contagious form of omicron mean additional booster shots are necessary? Thealready recommends that individuals aged 12 years and older with immunity-affecting health issues receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. But on Tuesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they have asked the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization of a fourth shot for all people aged 65 years and older.
Experts like Dr. Fauci have also suggested that additional COVID boosters may be necessary. “There may be the need for yet again another boost—in this case, a fourth-dose boost for an individual receiving the mRNA—that could be based on age, as well as underlying conditions,” Dr. Fauci said in a February 9. “I don’t think you’re going to be hearing, if you do, any kind of recommendations that would be across the board for everyone.
Ultimately, experts still aren’t sure how necessary or useful more boosters will be. But even if another booster can clearly be helpful, there already isn’t enough uptake of boosters in the U.S. as it is—per the
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