The US will continue to give two doses of the coronavirus vaccines for a few weeks apart and will not follow the UK’s decision to delay the second shot, Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN on Friday.
“I wouldn’t be in favor of that,” said Fauci when asked about the new UK dosing regimen. “We keep doing what we do,”
So far, the US-approved coronavirus vaccines require two doses based on a few weeks apart.
The UK government announced on Wednesday that “the UK will give priority to giving the first dose of the vaccine to those in the most at risk group” and that the second dose can be given up to 12 weeks later.
The UK has adopted a strategy of giving as many people the first dose as soon as possible as it provides a degree of protection.
Asked on Thursday by NBC’s Today Show whether the US should change its approach and adopt the UK’s plan, Fauci replied, “it is under consideration.” He told CNN Friday that this comment had been “misinterpreted”.
Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted that Pfizer and Moderna – the makers of the two US-approved vaccines – found the effectiveness of two doses a few weeks apart in their clinical studies, not one several months. part.
“The fact is, we want to stick to what science tells us, and the data we have for both (vaccines) shows that you are giving a prime, followed by a boost in 21 days with Pfizer and 28 days with Moderna. And right now that’s the way we’re dealing with it, and that’s the decision that’s being made, ”he said.
“We make decisions based on data. We have no data on administering a single dose and waiting for more than the normal time period (to give the second dose). “
When he indicated on the Today Show that following the British example was “considered”, Fauci said Friday that he meant some people – not the US health authorities – were talking about it.
‘It was a bit of a misinterpretation. I think some – not everyone – but people misinterpreted it when I said it’s under consideration (as) like we’re going to change. We’re not, ”he said.