Amid rising concerns of Delta variant of coronavirus, a panel of medical experts have advised the government to vote in favour of booster shots of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for people aged above 65 years.<o:p></o:p>

While the panel approved usage of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for everyone aged 65 and above, the experts rejected the idea of administering the same shot to young people aged 16 and above.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-convene-covid-19-summit-on-wednesday-white-house-413891">Biden to convene COVID-19 summit on Wednesday: White House</a></o:p>

The panel consists of vaccinologists, infectious diseases researchers, epidemologists and more, and is completely independent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<o:p></o:p>

"I think this should demonstrate to the public that the members of this committee are independent of the FDA, and that in fact we do bring our voices to the table," said Archana Chatterjee, dean of Chicago Medical School.<o:p></o:p>

The decision to not vaccinate young people aged 16 and above was taken after it was observed that the benefit-risk balance for younger people was not worth the risk, especially for men at risk for myocarditis.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-administers-20-million-covid-19-jabs-to-mark-pm-modis-birthday-413815">WATCH |</a></o:p>

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A full approval was also not given by the panel as the experts felt the data collected out of clinical trial of 300 people was simply not enough to draw conclusions.<o:p></o:p>

However, approval for the booster shot has been granted for healthcare workers, people with high risk of occupational exposure to the virus and those with vulnerable and weak immune system.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, Pfizer has vowed to work with FDA experts to address and find solutions to questions raised by medical experts regarding booster shots. “We continue to believe in the benefits of a booster dose for a broader population,” Kathrin Jansen, head of vaccine research and development at the company, said in a statement.<o:p></o:p>

Amid rising concerns of Delta variant of coronavirus, a panel of medical experts have advised the government to vote in favour of booster shots of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for people aged above 65 years.

Amid rising concerns of Delta variant of coronavirus, a panel of medical experts have advised the government to vote in favour of booster shots of Pfizer's Covid vaccine for people aged above 65 years. While the panel approved usage of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for everyone aged 65 and above, the experts rejected the idea of administering the same shot to young people aged 16 and above. Also read | Biden to convene COVID-19 summit on Wednesday: White House The panel consists of vaccinologists, infectious diseases researchers, epidemologists and more, and is completely independent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "I think this should demonstrate to the public that the members of this committee are independent of the FDA, and that in fact we do bring our voices to the table," said Archana Chatterjee, dean of Chicago Medical School. The decision to not vaccinate young people aged 16 and above was taken after it was observed that the benefit-risk balance for younger people was not worth the risk, especially for men at risk for myocarditis. WATCH | A full approval was also not given by the panel as the experts felt the data collected out of clinical trial of 300 people was simply not enough to draw conclusions. However, approval for the booster shot has been granted for healthcare workers, people with high risk of occupational exposure to the virus and those with vulnerable and weak immune system. Meanwhile, Pfizer has vowed to work with FDA experts to address and find solutions to questions raised by medical experts regarding booster shots. “We continue to believe in the benefits of a booster dose for a broader population,” Kathrin Jansen, head of vaccine research and development at the company, said in a statement.

US panel recommends Pfizer's Covid booster shot for 65 and above, rejects for 16 year-olds

The brazillian health ministry said on Wednesday that the country will give Covid-19 booster shots to people with compromised immune system and those over the age of 70. The vaccination would begin in mid-September.

For booster shots, vaccines from AstraZeneca, Johnson &amp; Johnson or Pfizer will be used, said the ministry in a statement.

The information differs from remarks on Tuesday by Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, who had said vulnerable people and over 80-year-olds would receive an additional jab of the Pfizer.

Rapid spread of the Delta variant and research suggesting diminishing effectiveness of vaccines over time has led to many countries planning booster vaccine drives.

Sinovac's Coronavac vaccine, which was used for many elderly people in Brazil because it was the earliest available in large quantities, is not part of the plans outlined for the booster shots.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dont-worry-about-covid-22-here-are-misconceptions-about-it-408319">Don't worry about Covid-22: Here are misconceptions about it</a>

The extra shots will be administered to those with vulnerable immune systems 28 days after their second dose. For those 70 and over, the ministry stipulated a six-month interval before applying a booster shot.

Also starting next month, the gap between the first and second shots of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will fall to eight weeks from 12 weeks for all those vaccinated in Brazil.

Brazil has had more than 20.6 million confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 575,000 fatalities due to the virus.

(With inputs from agencies)

The brazillian health ministry said on Wednesday that the country will give Covid-19 booster shots to people with compromised immune system and those over the age of 70.

The brazillian health ministry said on Wednesday that the country will give Covid-19 booster shots to people with compromised immune system and those over the age of 70. The vaccination would begin in mid-September. For booster shots, vaccines from AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer will be used, said the ministry in a statement. The information differs from remarks on Tuesday by Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, who had said vulnerable people and over 80-year-olds would receive an additional jab of the Pfizer. Rapid spread of the Delta variant and research suggesting diminishing effectiveness of vaccines over time has led to many countries planning booster vaccine drives. Sinovac's Coronavac vaccine, which was used for many elderly people in Brazil because it was the earliest available in large quantities, is not part of the plans outlined for the booster shots. Also Read | Don't worry about Covid-22: Here are misconceptions about it The extra shots will be administered to those with vulnerable immune systems 28 days after their second dose. For those 70 and over, the ministry stipulated a six-month interval before applying a booster shot. Also starting next month, the gap between the first and second shots of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will fall to eight weeks from 12 weeks for all those vaccinated in Brazil. Brazil has had more than 20.6 million confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 575,000 fatalities due to the virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil plans booster Covid vaccine drive

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