Coronavirus: WHO advisory group says booster shots ‘risk exacerbating vaccine inequities’

After reviewing data on how well vaccines are working over time, experts say priority should be distributing shots to countries with limited access to primary doses

But the group is monitoring early studies to assess how protective vaccines are against the new Omicron variant and whether additional doses may be needed

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After reviewing the data, the advisory body said WHO-approved vaccines for the most part continue to provide robust protection against severe forms of Covid-19 for at least six months. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:57pm, 9 Dec 2021Updated: 11:17pm, 9 Dec 2021

A World Health Organization advisory body has stuck by its decision not to recommend Covid-19 booster shots for now, but says it will keep a close watch on the impact of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (Sage) reviewed data from recent months on how well Covid-19 vaccines are holding up over time at a special meeting on Tuesday. They did not discuss data on Omicron, as preliminary studies are only starting to emerge.

The group looked at recent data showing a decline in vaccine effectiveness against infection and disease, particularly in older adults. But they determined that WHO-approved vaccines for the most part continue to provide robust protection against severe forms of Covid-19 for at least six months. They said boosters should not be prioritised over distributing shots to countries with limited access to primary doses.

“In the context of ongoing global supply constraints, broad-based administration of booster doses risks exacerbating inequities in vaccine access,” Sage chair Alejandro Cravioto said during a media briefing on Thursday.

“The vast majority of current infections are … in unvaccinated people, who we believe should be vaccinated instead of giving further doses to those that have already received [a full primary course].”

The recommendation, which is in line with previous directives from the policy-focused group, comes amid concerns about the ability of the new and highly mutated variant Omicron to evade immunity from vaccines.