Americans 'likely' will need 3rd Covid shot to qualify as 'fully vaccinated', Fauci says as booster fight rages on FDA

What it means to be “fully vaccinated” is changing, said Covid adviser Anthony Fauci, suggesting that the standard regimen will soon contain three doses, amid reports that FDA staff expressed concern about a hasty rollout .

While Fauci noted that the decision will ultimately be left to federal health agencies, he told reporters on Thursday press conference that he thinks an extra dose will “Likely” be necessary for Americans to be considered “Fully vaccinated” in the near future with reference to recent data from Israel.

“From my own experience as an immunologist, I would not be surprised at all if the appropriate, full regimen for vaccination is likely to be three doses," he said, adding that the booster data from Israel showed one “very clear” and “Dramatic” improving protection.

Israel has experienced a significant decline in vaccine effectiveness over time and reported a major increase in serious illness among the fully vaccinated (under the previous two-dose definition) that began in July. However, Fauci pointed to a study based on data from about 1 million Israelis aged 60 and older who suggested a third dose of Pfizer -jab had “Significant positive impact” resulting in a ten-fold reduction in serious illness.

While Fauci stressed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not yet reached a final verdict on boosters, he said there are “Good reason to believe” that third doses will not only produce a “strong” immune response in recipients, but a “durable” one.

“And if it is durable, then you will most likely have a three-dose treatment that is the routine cure. But we just have to wait to make sure that is the case when the data is presented to the FDA. ” he said.

Although the Joe Biden administration has already begun promoting boosters - with the president himself telling all American adults to receive their third shot within eight months of their final dose - this move has caused controversy among federal regulators and is a matter of concern. that the White House is also moving fast on its booster campaign.

Earlier this week, two top executives involved in vaccine research and testing at the FDA resigned. reportedly in protest of a series of errors, made by regulators, where Biden’s hasty booster announcement is one last straw. He made the address prior to official provocation from the FDA, although the agency had previously supported boosters for those with compromised immune systems and has since recognized declining vaccine-induced immunity in the United States.

Fauci himself was previously hesitant about additional vaccine doses, saying in July that it was too early to discuss boosters, and even stated that Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla had spoken to him about having published the company’s work on a third shot at a so early time.

In mid-August, however, the health adviser changed his mind considerably, arguing instead that the Americans would “Inevitably” need boosters. “No vaccine, at least not in this category, will have an indefinite amount of protection," he said at the time.

According to the CDC, nearly 175 million Americans, or just over 52% of the population, have been ‘fully’ vaccinated under the current two-dose regimen (or one dose for Johnson & Johnson’s formula). ‘Full’ vaccinations among the most vulnerable age group, those 65 and older, are now just shy of 82%.

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