ECDC and EMA advice on fourth doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) COVID-19 task force (ETF) have concluded that it is too early to consider using a fourth dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines – specifically mentioning  Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech’s (Nasdaq: BNTX) Comirnaty and Moderna’s (Nasdaq: MRNA) Spikevax - in the general population.

However, both agencies agreed that a fourth dose (or second booster) can be given to adults 80 years of age and above after reviewing data on the higher risk of severe COVID-19 in this age group and the protection provided by a fourth dose.

The ECDC and EMA also noted that there is currently no clear evidence in the European Union that vaccine protection against severe disease is waning substantially in adults with normal immune systems aged 60 to 79 years and thus no clear evidence to support the immediate use of a fourth dose. Authorities will continue to monitor data to determine if there is an increasing risk of severe illness among those who are vaccinated. If the current epidemiological situation changes and new signals emerge, it may become necessary to consider a fourth dose in this age group. In the meantime, national authorities will also consider local data in deciding whether to use a fourth dose in those people at higher risk.