This discussion was recorded on February 1, 2022. This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Robert D. Glatter, MD: Hello and welcome. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, medical advisor for Medscape Emergency Medicine. Today we have a distinguished panel joining us to discuss the current data about boosters for COVID-19.
Dr Paul Offit is director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Also joining us is Dr Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Welcome, gentlemen.
Paul A. Offit, MD: Thank you.
Paul E. Sax, MD: Thanks.
Glatter: The current CDC data indicate that about 64% of the US population is now fully vaccinated or up-to-date, with about 42% of this group having received a booster (ie, third shot).
We have three recent studies from the CDC that indicate the importance of the booster, or third shot, to protect against the Omicron variant. Let's talk about recent studies from the US and overseas that indicate this ability of boosters of preventing infection, hospitalizations, and deaths. We'll start with Dr Offit.
Offit:We have to ask ourselves the question, what's the goal of this vaccine?
Q&A: Meeting the Challenge of Giving COVID Vaccines to Younger Kids
COMMENTARY
Boost Now for COVID or Wait? Experts Weigh In
Robert D. Glatter, MD; Paul A. Offit, MD; Paul E. Sax, MD
DisclosuresFebruary 11, 2022
This discussion was recorded on February 1, 2022. This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Robert D. Glatter, MD: Hello and welcome. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, medical advisor for Medscape Emergency Medicine. Today we have a distinguished panel joining us to discuss the current data about boosters for COVID-19.
Dr Paul Offit is director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Also joining us is Dr Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Welcome, gentlemen.
Paul A. Offit, MD: Thank you.
Paul E. Sax, MD: Thanks.
Glatter: The current CDC data indicate that about 64% of the US population is now fully vaccinated or up-to-date, with about 42% of this group having received a booster (ie, third shot).
We have three recent studies from the CDC that indicate the importance of the booster, or third shot, to protect against the Omicron variant. Let's talk about recent studies from the US and overseas that indicate this ability of boosters of preventing infection, hospitalizations, and deaths. We'll start with Dr Offit.
Offit:We have to ask ourselves the question, what's the goal of this vaccine?
Medscape Emergency Medicine © 2022
Cite this: Boost Now for COVID or Wait? Experts Weigh In - Medscape - Feb 11, 2022.
Tables
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Authors
Robert D. Glatter, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY
Disclosure: Robert D. Glatter, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Paul A. Offit, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Disclosure: Paul A. Offit, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Paul E. Sax, MD
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Disclosure: Paul E. Sax, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Gilead; Janssen; Merck; ViiV
Received a research grant from: Gilead; ViiV