Feb 5, 2021 01:18 AM
(This post was last modified: Feb 5, 2021 03:12 AM by C C.)
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-rep...ives/91056
EXCERPTS: . . . However, the U.S. isn't rushing to follow suit. Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addressed the U.K.'s strategy of delaying doses during Wednesday's White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing.
"We have heard from studies emanating out of the AstraZeneca platform, that in the U.K. they're talking about the possibility -- since their data seems to show this -- that if you prolong the interval between the first and second dose -- in fact even go with a single dose -- you can get good results," Fauci said during the briefing. "And in fact, the interval between the first and second dose can now be measured in months, according to their own data, and that is actually a favorable response."
"We certainly respect that the U.K. scientists and health officials are going by their data, and letting their own data for their own platform dictate their policy," he continued. "The question is asked often, 'then why don't we do the same thing with our candidates that are now being distributed to people in the United States?' And the response is simple. We also are going very much by the data and the science that has emanated out of very large clinical trials. The Moderna trial -- with 30,000 people -- and the Pfizer trial -- with 44,000 people -- indicate to us that maximum responses are given with a prime followed by a boost within 21 days with Pfizer and 28 days with Moderna."
For people who are unable to get the second dose of the vaccine within those time frames due to special circumstances, the CDC has said that it is okay to receive the boost within four to [more?] weeks, Fauci said during the briefing. But that doesn't mean that is the desired dosing schedule.
"We feel strongly that we will go by the science, which has dictated for us the optimal way to get the 94% to 95% response," he added.
Arthur Caplan, PhD, professor of bioethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, has also emphasized adhering to available data. [...] Veering from available data could have other consequences as well. Once officials start changing what was promised, that can lead to mistrust, Caplan said... (MORE - details)
EXCERPTS: . . . However, the U.S. isn't rushing to follow suit. Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addressed the U.K.'s strategy of delaying doses during Wednesday's White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing.
"We have heard from studies emanating out of the AstraZeneca platform, that in the U.K. they're talking about the possibility -- since their data seems to show this -- that if you prolong the interval between the first and second dose -- in fact even go with a single dose -- you can get good results," Fauci said during the briefing. "And in fact, the interval between the first and second dose can now be measured in months, according to their own data, and that is actually a favorable response."
"We certainly respect that the U.K. scientists and health officials are going by their data, and letting their own data for their own platform dictate their policy," he continued. "The question is asked often, 'then why don't we do the same thing with our candidates that are now being distributed to people in the United States?' And the response is simple. We also are going very much by the data and the science that has emanated out of very large clinical trials. The Moderna trial -- with 30,000 people -- and the Pfizer trial -- with 44,000 people -- indicate to us that maximum responses are given with a prime followed by a boost within 21 days with Pfizer and 28 days with Moderna."
For people who are unable to get the second dose of the vaccine within those time frames due to special circumstances, the CDC has said that it is okay to receive the boost within four to [more?] weeks, Fauci said during the briefing. But that doesn't mean that is the desired dosing schedule.
"We feel strongly that we will go by the science, which has dictated for us the optimal way to get the 94% to 95% response," he added.
Arthur Caplan, PhD, professor of bioethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, has also emphasized adhering to available data. [...] Veering from available data could have other consequences as well. Once officials start changing what was promised, that can lead to mistrust, Caplan said... (MORE - details)