07/11/2021

Pfizer to Brief U.S. Officials in Coming Days on the Need for a Booster Shot

Government officials have said science will dictate whether a third shot is needed

In the coming days, Pfizer is expected to brief top U.S. government health officials in the coming days about the need for a coronavirus vaccine booster shot after an unusually public spat between the pharmaceutical giant and federal officials over whether a third shot will be necessary, according to the company and six people familiar with the plans.

Pfizer and the German firm BioNTech announced on Thursday that they planned to seek regulatory approval for a booster within weeks because they anticipated that people would need a third dose six to 12 months after receiving the companies’ two-shot regimen.

But top U.S. health officials have not decided whether boosters will be necessary. And several hours after the companies announced their intentions Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an emphatic rebuke, saying "Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time."

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.