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
12

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.”

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

Keep reading with a free account
Create a free Dispatch account to keep reading Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
12
By
Comments (12)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Erin

    Michael Osterholm makes a compelling case to at least consider switching to a one-dose-for-now strategy. You can check out his interview on Firing Line on YouTube.

    Collapse
  2. Avatar photo
    PaulH

    In its public statements, Pfizer is constrained by the actual label approved (for emergency use) by the FDA. While there is certainly evidence that one dose is sufficient or that the second dose could be delayed, there is not sufficient evidence for Pfizer to seek a change in that label right now. So they are sticking to saying what the FDA will allow them to say. Doctors and public health officials can come to different conclusions and make different statements because the FDA does not regulate free speech or the the practice of medicine.

    Collapse
  3. Nickson

    For liability, PR and profit reasons, of course Pfizer won’t (can’t?) state that one dose is effective.

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Adam Bridge

    This is one for the experts because no one I know has access to all the data and understands the intricacies of the human immune response. Was anything said about effectiveness against other COVID variants?

    I get my 2nd dose in two weeks. Based upon my reactions to the first shot and how I have responded to other two-part vaccinations I'm expecting a strong reaction to the 2nd injection. Worth it.

    Collapse
  5. Avatar photo
    Larry1914

    I still think it's more prudent to go ahead and get two doses.

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      Luke Thompson (not that one)

      If a single dose is even 80% effective, it doesn't make any sense to let people get a second dose before everyone has had the first. There was a lot of rushing done to get these out, but that seems to have mostly resulted in the requirements being too safety cautious, rather than too risky.

      Collapse
      1. Avatar photo
        rlritt

        I think the problem is that the second dose has to be given within a specific time frame to be effective. Don't ask me why.

        Collapse
        1. Avatar photo
          PaulH

          The clinical studies were all done with the second dose being done within 3 or 4 weeks of the first dose -- so that is what has been actually tested. However, based on what is generally known about vaccines and immunology, scientists are very confident that a second dose being done 3 or 4 months later would still have a "booster" effect -- but that has not been proven in a clinical trial

          Collapse
          1. Avatar photo
            rlritt

            Really? Interesting

            Collapse
    2. Avatar photo
      Kaitlin Johnson

      Just maybe stretch the time between them...

      Collapse
      1. Avatar photo
        Grandma B

        That’s exactly what’s being done in the U.K. where we’re currently living. The government made the decision to stretch the time between doses to 9-12 weeks. My husband and I are both over 70 and got our 1st dose of the Pfizer vaccine last month. We’ll get the second dose next month. Meanwhile everyone over the age of 70 has already been vaccinated and the government is on track to have the over-50’s completed by May. Currently the timeline is to have everyone over 18 who wants a jab to begin receiving it by the end of July. Spacing out the doses is marginally less effective in the short term, but the more people vaccinated means less people become infected and drops the transmission rate faster.

        Collapse
    3. Avatar photo
      Paul Hoover

      -do-

      Collapse