Recently, both Pfizer and Moderna sought FDA approval to give a 4th dose of their mRNA COVID vaccines to most people 18+. That is problematic as evidence to support executing such an intervention doesn’t exist. Still there are a substantial number of proponents arguing in favor of the shots, citing 5 “salient” reasons they are justified, but their counterparts don’t agree. So we’re clear, their arguments are invalid and will be debunked below.
Proponents: Taking a 4th dose is just like taking another flu shot. After all, most people have taken “20 or more doses” in their lifetime
Opponents: That is simply not true. The flu vaccine is engineered against a currently circulating strain while COVID vaccines are not. Specifically, the mRNA component within Pfizer and Moderna’s jab remains based on the original Wuhan strain. Next, and most obvious, we don’t take multiple flu shots a year. That said, you could imagine it being inappropriate to immunize individuals with a Covid vaccine a whopping 4 times a year
Proponents: The vaccine is safe and effective much like the flu shot
Opponents: Sadly, safety profiles for Moderna and Pfizer’s mRNA vaccines are much worse than flu shots. That evidenced by nearly 1,400+ adverse events delineated in a post-marketing surveillance document released by the FDA not long ago. Essentially, said document (# 5.3.6) contained a plethora of side effects nearly 9 pages long (see image above). You can also watch my YouTube video on this by clicking here if you’re interested in learning more
Proponents: The 4th shot will help with breakthrough infections by topping off existing immunity
Opponents: Wrong. Study after study has shown only transient effects from Covid boosters. In other words, protection is mild and short-lived at best as vaccine efficacy against emergency room and urgent care visits diminishes rapidly after only 4 months for all 18+. Such a decrease in protection simply means the vaccine is no longer effective. Of course, in light of Omicron, breakthrough infections are rampant. On a positive note, what has really been protective against severe disease and death is exposure to multiple variants (whether exposure produced symptomatic disease or not), and vaccinal immunity, not boosters. That said, there is no appropriate long-term data in existence associating a 3rd or even 4th dose with a reduced risk of mortality. Nor is there evidence to show a 3rd or 4th dose reducing the risk of emergency room and urgent care visits by any order of magnitude
Proponents: Flu shoots and associated mandates historically worked well so a 4th Covid dose and accompanying mandates will too
Opponents: Unfortunately, those making that comment have been ill advised on medical history. To explain, flu shots and accompanying mandates are primarily executed in some hospitals and medical facilities, but not all. On the other hand, Covid shots and mandates are currently obligatory in all medical facilities through either state order, or private policy. That means, Covid mandates are strong, while flu mandates remain lax. All and all, you cannot compare two interventions that are not remotely similar. That’s like saying a Toyota is identical to an Army tank because they’re both vehicles. If you hopped in the tank could you drive it? As you can see, that’s flawed logic.
Next, it should be stated, many successfully receive flu exemptions, while it’s nearly impossible to receive one for a Covid vaccine. That is because most physicians and public health officials feel the exemptions are not necessary for the individual, or for the greater good of society
Proponents: The 4th dose would be FDA approved much like the flu shot so it’s fine
Opponents: My my my. Such misinformation floating around. You see, Covid vaccines were approved for EUA (emergency use authorization) by the FDA, flu shots were not. Just so there’s no confusion, EUA is not a traditional route of approval. It contains lax regulations that sit well below the bar of standard approval. Such measures are reserved for times of emergency. Now, there most certainly was an emergency to warrant 2 doses in the past. However, the current state of Covid does not warrant a 4th EUA dose as hospitalizations and deaths are at all time low on average. Also, you should know, most normal vaccines (like the flu jab) go through 5-10 years of trials before approval, the Covid jab RCTs were completed within months.
All and all, many people have some outlandish ideas on why they feel a 4th dose is necessary. However, there are many Covid vaccine supporters who don’t back said ideas. Nevertheless, how do you feel about a 4th dose?
LETS CONNECT:
I would like to know if, typically, doctors who support a 4th dose do not administer or support proven early treatments and prophylactic measures.