- Dr. Ofer Levy, a voting member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory panel, spoke with CNBC’s “Closing Bell” after the committee unanimously recommended the agency approve J&J’s Covid boosters.
- The panel previously recommended the FDA approve boosters from Moderna and Pfizer for anyone 65 and older, among other high-risk groups.
- Some committee members have voiced concern about authorizing third mRNA doses for people 12 and up due to the risk of two rare heart inflammation conditions.
Risk of mRNA Covid booster causing heart inflammation in young adults continues to worry scientists, reports CNBC.
Risk of mRNA COVID booster
The risk of mRNA Covid booster shots causing heart inflammation in young adults continues to worry top scientists weighing whether to approve third doses for anyone over 12, Dr. Ofer Levy, a voting member of the Food and Drug Administration’s advisory panel, said Friday.
Levy, the director of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, spoke just hours after the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee unanimously recommended giving second shots to all recipients of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid vaccine over 18 years old.
Recommendations for Moderna and Pfizer boosters
The panel previously recommended the FDA approve boosters from Moderna and Pfizer for all seniors and other high-risk groups. But some committee members have voiced concern about authorizing third mRNA doses for people 12 and up due to the risk of two rare heart inflammation conditions, myocarditis and pericarditis.
Efficiency
Unlike mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, J&J’s Covid shot is not associated with a risk for heart inflammation, the CDC says. Over 15 million Americans have received their primary vaccine dose from J&J.
Data suggests both two-dose mRNA options are comparatively more effective, but J&J submitted a study to the FDA that showed a second dose enhanced protection against symptomatic infection from 72% to 94%.
What is the cause of myocarditis?
Though uncommon, myocarditis has been found mostly in male adolescents and young adults who received a vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cases typically arise within days of vaccination, usually after the second dose, and subside with medicine and rest, the CDC said.
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Source: CNBC
