The Biden administration is currently considering giving a third booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccines, targeting primarily people with compromised immunity. However, many global voices are against this decision as it could accentuate the imbalance on the globe. Many developing countries have not received enough vaccines to provide at least the first shot to the population that needs it. More than that, there is not enough evidence yet that boosters are required to provide protection against the virus.
“Low-income countries still don’t have enough vaccines to give a single dose to even their most vulnerable people. This is just one more step that our government is taking that will widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. And this is not just some moral stain on wealthy nations; it’s really prolonging the pandemic for the entire world,” explained Jenny Ottenhoff from ONE Campaign.
The plan to provide additional doses for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is expected to be announced this week. In the United States, slightly more than half of the population is fully vaccinated against COVDI-19. It is also important to note that the United States have also promised to donate 500 million Pfizer doses abroad. The first 200 doses are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, and the rest will be donated next year.
“Whether boosters are administered or not, more doses urgently need to be redistributed and allocated to health care workers and high-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries in order to vaccinate the world and end this pandemic,” added Carrie Teicher from Doctors Without Borders USA.
The Doctors Without Borders organization has highlighted the importance of drug companies sharing their vaccines with the world, so each country can produce the needed doses independently.