An FDA advisory panel has “soundly rejected a plan” to offer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to most Americans in what represents a major blow to the multinational pharmaceutical company that saw profits soar through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vote, held earlier today, was 16-2 against advising COVID-19 booster shots for Americans. Per the Associated Press, this also represents “a blow to the Biden administration’s” mass vaccination efforts.
“Members of the Food and Drug Administration panel of outside efforts voiced frustration that Pfizer had provided little data on safety of extra doses,” the report explained. They also “complained that data provided by the Israeli researchers about their booster campaign might not be suitable for predicting the U.S. experience.” (READ MORE: 16-Year-Old Who Suffered Heart Attack After Taking Pfizer Vaccine Receives $225,000 Settlement From Singapore Government)
In Israel, the government – which solely allows the Pfizer vaccine in the country – has already instituted its first booster shot, bringing the total number of shots required for Israeli citizens up to three, and the country’s COVID-19 czar recently instructed the public to prepare for an eventual fourth dose. Israelis who refuse to cooperate with the COVID-19 vaccine schedule have their freedom of movement severely restricted, unless they can prove they have COVID-19 antibodies from a previous infection.
Experts in Israel now say that surviving a COVID-19 infection produces a much more robust immune system response than relying on a vaccine, with those who are vaccinated being 27 times more likely to contract COVID-19 and 8 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who contract the disease and recover, as do the overwhelming majority of those who catch the virus. (READ MORE: FDA Adds Warning About Myocarditis, Pericarditis Heart Inflammation To Moderna, Pfizer Vaccines)
Pharmaceutical companies have made record profits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pfizer competitor Moderna recently filed SEC paperwork revealing it had made a staggering $12 billion this year as of August, and that it expected to make even more money if booster shots were approved. While the FDA’s panel solely considered the Pfizer booster shots, this may represent a major blow to Moderna as well.
Meanwhile, Pfizer has already started production of a twice-per-day COVID-19 pill that is said to treat mild symptoms, and should be taken alongside vaccines among those who fall ill.
