MSN/WLWT: Ohio health officials give update on COVID-19 delta variant in the state

UC expert says more knowledge is needed about how many people are being tested and how

Executives with Pfizer met with United States health officials recently about why they believe a third booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine will be needed.

The meeting was largely seen as a courtesy after the two sides disagreed last week on when a booster shot for the coronavirus vaccine might be necessary. That led to unusual pushback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said fully vaccinated Americans don't need boosters right now.

In a story published by MSN and produced by WLWT-TV, Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, was one of the experts cited. 

“Knowing whether or not to recommend a booster, we’re going to need a lot more information,” said Fichtenbaum. “They haven’t really presented any of their full information or data. They’ve just released some press releases.”

Professor Carl J. Fichtenbaum, MD shown here his in lab at MSB. UC/ Joseph Fuqua UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine/Joe Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand

Given the limited information available so far, Fichtenbaum said it’s difficult to make an informed decision about the boosters.

Pfizer said their research in the United Kingdom and Israel indicates the vaccine is wearing off at about six months after the last shot.

“We don’t have any information about how many individuals they’re testing, how they’re testing these individuals, whether these individuals have any other health problems or health conditions,” Fichtenbaum said.

See the entire story here

Fichtenbaum was also interviewed about the Delta variants of the COVID-19 by 700WLW radio. Listen to that interview here. Note, the interview begins at the 34:43 mark in the link.

Lead photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand 

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