Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Are Covid booster jabs necessary?

Are Covid booster jabs necessary?

Evidence about efficacy of additional dose of vaccine is unclear as some raise moral argument

Many rich countries are considering offering people an additional coronavirus vaccine dose. But are these booster shots necessary?

What does the evidence say about booster shots?


The short answer is: it is unclear. Preliminary data shows that people do experience a fall in protective antibody levels weeks and months after getting their jabs, particularly against the highly infectious Delta variant. However, it is unclear what level of antibodies or other tools in the immune system’s armament confer protective immunity.

What is crucial to understand is the level of antibodies or other immune system soldiers, such as T-cells, required to protect from Covid-19, particularly serious illness and death. Once this is measurable, and then protection is seen dropping towards that level, only then would there be a clear case for administering booster vaccines.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts have said there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of additional shots. But in people with certain underlying conditions that have weakened immune systems, the response to initial shots is far from optimum, so in those cases the argument for booster jabs can be made, especially against the Delta variant, some scientists have argued.

“You get Delta breakthrough cases, especially in over-60s, and [a booster dose] mitigates this. The same will apply to other vulnerable or immune-suppressed groups,” said Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London. “The ideal would be to have targeted boosting rooted in data and immune monitoring.”

The current evidence on vaccine effectiveness against Delta supported the case for booster jabs for vulnerable individuals, said Dr Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading.

Should different vaccines be given as booster jabs?


The jury is still out. Generally, it is thought that the different technologies underpinning the jabs allows the immune system to be presented with the same target but in a slightly different way, likely provoking a more diverse immune response.

At the moment, people are offered two doses of the same jab in the UK, but researchers have been exploring whether offering a second dose of a different Covid vaccine – or indeed a third injection different to the initial two – could boost immunity levels. In late June, preliminary data from a study appeared to suggest a third jab could be beneficial, in particular following Oxford/AstraZeneca shots with a Pfizer/BioNTech booster.
Advertisement

“Based on what we’re seeing here, switching over to an RNA vaccine could have some benefits in terms of antibodies,” said Matthew Snape, the chief investigator of the trial and associate professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at Oxford.

But there are concerns about side-effects from mixing and matching jabs. One study presented to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) indicated that if people were given a combination of vaccines for their first and second jabs, the side-effects could be worse, with potential implications for the idea of a using a different jab for a booster.

What is the UK’s approach to boosters?


Last week, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, suggested over-50s were likely to be offered a booster at the same time as a flu jab, with the programme expected to begin in early September.

But the JCVI, which advises the government on vaccine policy, has not yet given its final advice on the booster programme. Prof Adam Finn, a JCVI member, said on Thursday the committee was expected to decide which vulnerable groups should be recommended for a third shot.

“We need to focus on individuals who are more likely, if you like, to get sick again if they’ve not got a booster,” he said, but signalled against a routine rollout of third jabs. “We do need more evidence before we can make a firm decision on a much broader booster programme.”

A plan to start offering Covid booster vaccinations in the UK from early September is extremely unlikely to happen, it is understood, given the concerns of JCVI about the clinical benefits and potential wider risks to vaccine confidence, JCVI sources have relayed to the Guardian.

What are other countries doing?


The US president, Joe Biden, said on Wednesday his administration planned to make Covid-19 vaccine booster shots available to all Americans starting on 20 September, as Delta infections surge. Israel has begun giving boosters to over-60s, with the president, Isaac Herzog, already receiving his.

The European Medicines Agency said last month there was not enough evidence to recommend boosters, but some countries have gone ahead anyway. France and Germany are looking at third doses for certain groups from September.

Data from JHU CSSE Covid-19 Data and Our World in Data at 08.39 on 20 August 2021


What’s the argument against booster jabs?


Apart from unclear evidence that they are necessary for most fully vaccinated people, a moral argument against administering booster shots has been made. Providing them while so many people in many parts of the world are still waiting to get their first jab is immoral, WHO experts have said.

“We’re planning to hand out extra lifejackets to people who already have lifejackets, while we’re leaving other people to drown without a single lifejacket,” said Dr Michael Ryan, the director of the WHO’s health emergency programme.

Large-scale boosting in wealthy countries sends a signal around the world that boosters are needed everywhere, according to Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, and Seth Berkley, the chief executive of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, writing in a recent opinion piece published by the Guardian.

“This will suck many vaccine doses out of the system, and many more people will die because they never even had a chance to get a single dose,” they said. “Since we have the two-dose luxury of having time on our side, we should not rush into boosting millions of people while time is running out for those who have nothing. First doses first. It’s that simple.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
×