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| One-shot wonder? Researchers favor reduced dosage of Pfizer jab to alleviate vaccine shortage | One-shot wonder? Researchers favor reduced dosage of Pfizer jab to alleviate vaccine shortage |
| (25 days later) | |
| Canadian researchers have called for a delay in rolling out the second dose of the Pfizer jab, arguing a single one is enough to provide short-term protection, while a reduced dosage would allow many more people to be inoculated. | Canadian researchers have called for a delay in rolling out the second dose of the Pfizer jab, arguing a single one is enough to provide short-term protection, while a reduced dosage would allow many more people to be inoculated. |
| The idea was floated by two Canadian researchers in an open letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday. | The idea was floated by two Canadian researchers in an open letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday. |
| After reviewing Pfizer’s test data, the researchers concluded the difference between the efficacy of a single shot of the vaccine and a two-dose one was negligible. While the full regimen of two doses showed an efficacy of 94.8 percent, a single dose stood at 92.6 percent. | After reviewing Pfizer’s test data, the researchers concluded the difference between the efficacy of a single shot of the vaccine and a two-dose one was negligible. While the full regimen of two doses showed an efficacy of 94.8 percent, a single dose stood at 92.6 percent. |
| Given the minute difference, governments should delay the rollout of the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, striving to inject as many people as possible with a single dose instead, the researchers argued. At the same time, they admitted the dosage may impact the duration of the protection against Covid-19. | Given the minute difference, governments should delay the rollout of the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, striving to inject as many people as possible with a single dose instead, the researchers argued. At the same time, they admitted the dosage may impact the duration of the protection against Covid-19. |
| “With such a highly protective first dose, the benefits derived from a scarce supply of vaccine could be maximized by deferring second doses until all priority group members are offered at least one dose,” the letter reads. | “With such a highly protective first dose, the benefits derived from a scarce supply of vaccine could be maximized by deferring second doses until all priority group members are offered at least one dose,” the letter reads. |
| Pfizer has responded to the letter by warning against such measures, as the single-dose regimen has not been evaluated thoroughly and needs further research. | Pfizer has responded to the letter by warning against such measures, as the single-dose regimen has not been evaluated thoroughly and needs further research. |
| “The decision to implement alternative dosing regimens resides with health authorities; however, we at Pfizer believe that it is critical for health authorities to conduct surveillance on implemented alternative dosing schedules to ensure that vaccines provide the maximum possible protection,” the company stated. | “The decision to implement alternative dosing regimens resides with health authorities; however, we at Pfizer believe that it is critical for health authorities to conduct surveillance on implemented alternative dosing schedules to ensure that vaccines provide the maximum possible protection,” the company stated. |
| The new letter adds more scientific weight to the idea of reducing the vaccine dosage in favor of a wider rollout. Earlier this month, a non-peer-reviewed, pre-print study by researchers with the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggested the Pfizer vaccine was “highly protective” after three weeks following the first jab – and without the second one administered. The research, based on data collected during Israel’s mass vaccination campaign, put the single-dose efficacy rate at around 90 percent. | The new letter adds more scientific weight to the idea of reducing the vaccine dosage in favor of a wider rollout. Earlier this month, a non-peer-reviewed, pre-print study by researchers with the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggested the Pfizer vaccine was “highly protective” after three weeks following the first jab – and without the second one administered. The research, based on data collected during Israel’s mass vaccination campaign, put the single-dose efficacy rate at around 90 percent. |
| The idea of reduced dosage has been floated by some politicians, too. Late in December, for instance, Britain’s former PM Tony Blair argued there was a “strong case for not holding back the second doses of the vaccine,” and giving more people the first shot instead. Blair’s idea received a mixed response, with some scientists backing it up, while others argued such a move would be “too risky” given the lack of solid data on the efficacy of a reduced dosage. | The idea of reduced dosage has been floated by some politicians, too. Late in December, for instance, Britain’s former PM Tony Blair argued there was a “strong case for not holding back the second doses of the vaccine,” and giving more people the first shot instead. Blair’s idea received a mixed response, with some scientists backing it up, while others argued such a move would be “too risky” given the lack of solid data on the efficacy of a reduced dosage. |
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