UCSF-Expert Infectious Diseases, dr. Monica Gandhi, who has been advocating for the overhaul of the mandate for outdoor masks for cities since this week, also pushed back on the general assumption that shots for vaccine boosters would definitely be needed.
Gandhi points to data on participants in the vaccine trials, some of which have been vaccinated since July 2020, and dr. Gandhi suggests that pressure recordings may prove unnecessary, and that the T cells of vaccine recipients may perform sufficient work to protect them from COVID variants.
“It is important to say that public health should decide on shots, not the heads of these companies that make the vaccines,” said Dr. Gandhi said. He spoke to ABC 7. Her remarks come after Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla’s comments last week in which he suggested the need for boosters is “likely” at this stage.
“Anyone who received the vaccine during the trials received it in July 2020,” she said. And of the 44,000 participants in the study: “We do not see breakthrough infections, not even in the vicinity of congestion.” This included residents of South Africa who were exposed to the B.1.351 variant.
T-cell immunity, which is more difficult to measure than antibody levels, as dr. Gandhi has previously emphasized can be very strong in the immunized population, which denies the need for a third shot.
“I am very hopeful that we do not need these booster vaccines, but if we do, technology will make it very easy for us to get them in the future if there is an outbreak,” she told ABC 7 said.
Other experts said that although the shots may not be considered necessary, they can be recommended for health professionals, the elderly or other risk groups.
Previously: Pfizer CEO suggests third dose may be needed, it could be annual like flu shot
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