The Daily Do We Need a Third Covid Shot?
Jul 19, 2021
Rebecca Robbins, a business reporter for The New York Times specializing in Covid-19 vaccines, dives into the contentious debate over the necessity of a booster shot amid the Delta variant surge. She discusses the effectiveness of existing vaccines and the ethical implications of administering extra doses in wealthy nations while many remain unvaccinated elsewhere. The conversation also touches on the financial motivations of pharmaceutical companies and the urgent need for global vaccine equity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Booster Shot Concerns
- The rise of the Delta variant has raised concerns about the need for COVID-19 booster shots.
- The duration of vaccine protection is uncertain, prompting discussions about boosters.
Booster Shot Definition
- A booster shot is an additional vaccine dose meant to strengthen the immune response.
- Boosters can be the original vaccine or an altered version targeting specific variants.
Debate on Booster Need
- There's no consensus yet on the necessity of booster shots; some believe current protection could last for years.
- Pfizer's request for booster authorization clashes with the government's wait-and-see approach.