Delta variant and covid vaccines, third dose: what experts say

For now, the United States says no to the third dose of the covid vaccine: for the FDA and Cdc, at the moment, it is not necessary. In Italy, struggling with the Delta variant like all countries, the topic is submitted to experts. “It is understandable that the pharmaceutical companies enthusiastically push for a recall, given that it could generate large profits. But at the moment there are no supporting data, so FDA and Cdc are right to give a negative opinion, for now. let’s be careful and get ready “, says virologist Roberto Burioni, professor at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, commenting on Pfizer’s announcement on Twitter: the pharmaceutical company wants to ask the drug regulatory agencies for authorization for a third dose of your Covid vaccine. Read also “We welcome the planning of a third dose” of the anti-Covid vaccine “because in my opinion it will be necessary, but at this stage” the health authorities “are right to say ‘let’s vaccinate others’. ‘fundamental element, then we will think of the recalls “, virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, professor at the State University of Milan, tells Adnkronos Salute.” The Delta variant and other variants show us that the virus still has a lot to give – notes Pregliasco – But we do not yet have an idea of ​​the duration of the protection from the vaccine, which is slowly being understood, but in my opinion it will probably be necessary a year later. “” I am not in favor of the third dose “of the anti-Covid vaccine. “We must think that two doses still protect us against serious illness and the event of death which is the reason why we are pushing with vaccinations. The third dose is a booster that I believe will be done in 2022 and it is welcome that it is also against variants. But taking a third dose today means protecting only against infections and we know well that this is not the goal, but to reduce deaths and hospitalizations “, Matteo Bassetti, head of Infectious Diseases at the University of Milan, told Adnkronos Health San Martino hospital in Genoa. “To us today, but also in October, the infections should not matter, but the number of people hospitalized or who take severe forms of pneumonia and for this two doses are enough. I agree with the Fda and Cdc: the third dose must be selective “, aimed at a person” perhaps because fragile or a problematic subject. But not mass “, explains Bassetti, referring to the clarification of the American FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Cdc), which stressed that people completely vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need a third dose.