Fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine'safe,' study finds

A study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a fourth dose of the COVID 19 vaccine is somewhat efficacious, but still immunogenic and safe. The authors said there was no significant difference in immune response or levels of omicron-specific neutralizing antibodies between a third and fourth dose of the vaccine.

The authors said that the maximal immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines is achieved after three doses and that antibody levels can be restored by a fourth dose. A fourth vaccine of healthy young health care workers may have only marginal benefits. The authors noted that they did not evaluate older and more immunocompromised individuals.

Pfizer CEO Pfizer said earlier this week that protection after a third dose doesn't last very long and that a fourth shot is necessary. According to WebMD, Bourla claims that the company has sent data to the Food and Drug Administration that proves the necessity of a fourth dose.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA may approve a second booster shot in the near future.

According to Matthew Harris of Northwell Health, there is a more likely scenario that the COVID-19 vaccines will become part of a seasonal vaccine akin to the influenza vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that everyone over the age of 12 get a third dose, and recommends the standard two-dose vaccine for people aged 5 to 11 years old.