Senator Roger Marshall Urges President Biden to Make Seniors Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. has sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to make all seniors eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots immediately. This urgent request comes as the delta variant is surging across the country, putting seniors and those at high risk at a greater risk of infection. Senator Marshall argues that the FDA and CDC must take action to make the COVID-19 vaccine booster available for all seniors, citing data from Israel that shows a COVID-19 booster shot improves immunity for senior citizens.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. has sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to make all seniors eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots immediately.
  • The letter highlights the importance of prioritizing seniors and vulnerable populations, as they are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
  • Senator Marshall points to data from Israel that shows a COVID-19 booster shot improves immunity for senior citizens.
  • The FDA has authorized a booster shot for certain immunocompromised individuals, but Senator Marshall argues that this is not enough and that all seniors should be eligible.
  • Several countries, including Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, have already authorized booster shots for their citizens.
  • The United Kingdom has released a report prioritizing vulnerable patients for booster shots, including seniors and immunosuppressed individuals.
  • Senator Marshall urges the CDC to publish additional rationale for why the U.S. dosing regimens vary across global allies and to take into account international data when making recommendations.

Statistics:

  • 95% of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. occurred in patients over 50 years of age.
  • 8 in 10 deaths representing patients 65 years of age and older.
  • COVID-19 efficacy against the delta variant has declined from 74.7% to 53.1% for seniors.
  • A COVID-19 booster shot reduced the risk of infection in the 60-plus age group by 86% and against severe infection by 92% according to an observational study by Israel's second largest healthcare provider.

Sources:

  • [1] The White House, Fact Sheet: President Biden to Announce New Actions to Protect Americans from COVID-,ü 19 and Help State and Local Leaders Fight the Virus, August 18, 2021
  • [2] AJMC, Contributor: Links Between COVID-19 Comorbidities, Mortality Detailed in FAIR Health Study, by Robin Gelburd, November 11, 2020
  • [3] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Nursing Home Resident Before and During Widespread Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant ù National Healthcare Safety Network, March 1-August 1, 2021
  • [4] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, New COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Among Adults, by Vaccination Status ù New York, May 3-July 25, 2021
  • [5] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Additional Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals, August 12, 2021
  • [6] Bloomberg, Israel to Offer 3rd Covid Dose to Those With Weak Immune Systems, by Alisa Odenheimer, July 12, 2021
  • [7] NPR, Israel Is Offering Its Older Citizens A 3rd COVID-19 Shot As Infections Rise, July 29, 2021
  • [8] Pfizer, Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Teleconference, page 25
  • [9] Foreign Policy, The Science Says Everyone Needs a COVID-19 Booster Shotùand Soon, by Laurie Garrett, July 30, 2021
  • [10] Barron's, Countries Are Preparing to Offer Booster Shots. What It Means for Vaccine Makers, by Callum Keown, August 2, 2021
  • [11] United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Report: VCVI Interim Advice: Potential COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Programme Winter 2021 to 2022, June 30, 2021
  • [12] Hungary Today, Hungary Starts Third "Booster" Vaccination Campaign Amid Serious Debate, July 30, 2021
  • [13] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Committee, Considerations for Booster Doses of COVID-19 vaccines, August 13, 2021
  • [14] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html?source=email.