Munk Dialogue on the bivalent COVID-19 booster: do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Health Canada, the FDA, and the CDC have approved COVID bivalent vaccines to anyone over the age of 12. This booster is different from previous COVID shots, targeting multiple strains of the novel coronavirus, including Omicron sub variants. And while the vaccine is being widely distributed, some epidemiologists are sounding the alarm. Dr. Paul Offit,  Director of the Vaccine Education Center and attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is one of two members on the FDA committee who voted against advising all adults over the age of 12 to get the jab. He joins us to talk about why this booster might not be necessary, and whether its benefits really outweigh the risks. 

The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.  

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Producer: Ricki Gurwitz