Is Pfizer Recommending a Switch to a Single-Dose Policy?

The vaccine has demonstrated a high efficacy rate after one dose, but the company itself has not suggested any policy changes.

By Khaya Himmelman

Feb 22, 2021

In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine on February 17, two Canadian researchers, Danuta Skowronski and Gaston De Serres, suggested “deferring second doses” of the COVID-19 vaccine “until all priority group members are offered at least one dose.” The suggestion is based on an analysis of documents from Pfizer that were submitted to the FDA, which found, among other things, that one single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is 92.6 percent effective against COVID-19.

Based on this research, a widely circulated tweet claims “Pfizer says new data shows 1 dose is 93% effective after 2 weeks, almost as good as 2 doses. They urge a change in policy to single dosing.”

Two letters to the NEJM just published:

– Pfizer says new data shows 1 dose is 93% effective after 2 weeks, almost as good as 2 doses. They urge a change in policy to single dosing.

– Moderna basically saying their vaccine is good against all variants except possibly S.A.
— COVID Perspective (@covidperspectiv) February 18, 2021

Despite this new research, Pfizer hasn’t changed its policy on dosage and is not urging “a change in policy to single dosing.”

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