Research in COVID-19 booster shots guiding Health Ministry

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said several studies were used to guide the decision to begin
the administration of booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr Anthony made this statement during Wednesday’s COVID 19 update. He explained that one
of the first studies done by Israel in July, showed that the efficacy of the vaccine lowered to 41
per cent after six months. However, a more recent study on the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines
published in November, showed that the vaccines’ efficacy lowered to 44 per cent and 62.5 per
cent respectively. “In addition to that, a lot of the stringent regulatory authorities such as the
FDA, in the United States would have considered the matter. They have expert advisory panels
that would review the data submitted to them and based on those reviews would have concluded
that booster doses are necessary,” Minister Anthony said.
The health minister said that several studies from countries around the world show that the
vaccines’ immunity “waned” after the six-month period. “From those studies there seems to have
been a waning of immunity and again, a recommendation from those studies is that you use the
third dose. There are other studies in Europe pertaining to AstraZeneca that shows that it wanes
after six months and there have been studies done in Russia pertaining to Sputnik and studies in
the Middle East pertaining to Sputnik. So we have used all of these different studies to come up
with the current formulation that we have in terms of giving booster doses,” he explained. The
ministry on Monday commenced the administration of booster shots. Dr Anthony said that since
the roll out of the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm,
Sputnik V, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been used.
He pointed out that persons above the age of 50 years old, those with comorbidities and chronic
illnesses, and frontline workers are eligible for the jabs. He noted that for persons who took the
Johnson and Johnson vaccine, a booster shot of the Sinopharm vaccine is recommended, 52 days
after the dose. Those who took the Sinopharm vaccine, can take the same vaccine as their booster
shot three to six months after the second jab. It is advised that persons who have been immunised
using the AstraZeneca vaccine, can receive an MRNA vaccine which should be taken six months
after the second dose.
The health minister added that a shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine can be used as a
booster shot for the Sputnik V vaccine.