Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's Misinformed Remarks on Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene launched an attack on the idea of coronavirus vaccine boosters, questioning whether Americans need to take multiple doses to stay safe from the virus and its variants. However, her comments were quickly refuted by critics who pointed out that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four doses of the polio vaccine, a fact that Greene appears to have either ignored or misrepresented. This revelation comes as Pfizer and BioNTech have asked regulators to authorize an additional dose of their coronavirus vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older, citing data from Israel that shows a fourth shot increases immunogenicity and lowers rates of confirmed infections and severe illness.
Key Takeaways:
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the idea of coronavirus vaccine boosters, suggesting that multiple doses may not be necessary to stay safe from the virus and its variants.
- However, critics pointed out that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four doses of the polio vaccine for children, highlighting Greene's apparent lack of knowledge or research on the topic.
- Greene's comments came as Pfizer and BioNTech requested authorization for an additional dose of their coronavirus vaccine, citing data from Israel that shows a fourth shot increases immunogenicity and lowers rates of confirmed infections and severe illness.
- The fourth shot has been shown to be safe, with no new safety concerns reported, according to Pfizer.
- Greene has frequently criticized vaccination mandates and often refuses to discuss her own vaccination status, incorrectly claiming that asking the question is a HIPPA violation.
- The USFDA has released a statement saying it will review Pfizer and BioNTech's request "as expeditiously as possible using our thorough and science-based approach."
Statistics:
- Four doses of the polio vaccine are recommended by the CDC for children, given at two, four, six to 18 months, and between four to six years old.
- Pfizer and BioNTech have requested authorization for an additional dose of their coronavirus vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older.
- Data from Israel shows that a fourth shot of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine increases immunogenicity and lowers rates of confirmed infections and severe illness.
- The USFDA will review Pfizer and BioNTech's request for an additional dose of the coronavirus vaccine "as expeditiously as possible using our thorough and science-based approach."
Sources:
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-covid-vaccine-booster/index.html
- https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1504439023569865859
- https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-submission-request-for-additional
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-statement-pfizer-biontechs-request-additional-dose-bnt162b2-covid-19-vaccine