London – Reinforcements to extend vaccine protection against COVID-19 could be unnecessary for many people, said one of the leading scientists in the development of AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday.
Oxford University professor Sara Gilbert told The Telegraph that vaccine immunity remains high – even against the delta variant. While the elderly and those with weakened immune systems may require reinforcements, the standard two-application regime provides long-term protection for most people, he said.
“We will review every situation; those with compromised immune systems and the elderly will receive reinforcements,” he said. “But I don’t think we need reinforcements for everyone. Immunity is prolonged in most people.”
Gilbert stated at a time when it is anticipated that the Joint Vaccination and Immunization Commission, a panel of experts advising the British government, will issue a recommendation in the coming days on the scope of any vaccination reinforcement campaign. Britain’s medical regulator said on Thursday that Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were safe as reinforcements.
Britain’s Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he anticipates the reinforcement campaign will start later this month.
Gilbert stated that the global priority should be to bring more vaccines to countries with a limited supply.
“We need to bring the vaccines to countries that so far have few people vaccinated,” he commented. “We need to do a better job in that regard. The first dose has the biggest impact.”