Do I need a fourth dose? Experts in disease control give advice

Health Times reporter Wang Aibing

"At present, there is no need for us to implement the fourth injection, because at present, the immunization protection taken in China is very good, and the third injection is also constantly advancing." Zhang Yu, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Health Times reporter.

On January 4, local time, Israeli Prime Minister Bennett quoted a preliminary study in the country as saying that one week after receiving the fourth dose of the new crown vaccine, the antibodies in the vaccinated person's body will increase by 5 times. Previously, israel's Ministry of Health approved a fourth dose of the country's population over the age of 60 and medical workers.

Zhang Yu said, "Israel and the domestic situation is not the same, at present, the domestic epidemic prevention and control effect is generally very good, and the Israeli epidemic situation is more prominent." Whether a fourth dose will be needed in the future should be considered from many aspects. For example, the vaccination of the whole population, the epidemic situation of the new crown virus, etc. The state will formulate a corresponding vaccination program according to the situation, and there is no plan to start a fourth dose at present. ”

Health Times reporter noted that in addition to Israel, many Western countries have also put forward their own opinions on the fourth injection, and Germany's new health minister Lauterbach made it clear that the current intensification of injection is not the end, and the people must be prepared to receive the fourth dose of vaccine. Previously, according to the US Chinese Network, the latest guidelines of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said that some moderately or severely immunocompromised people may need to receive a fourth dose of the vaccine. Thailand network also reported that Tavisin, spokesman for the Thai Epidemic Control Center, held a press conference to say that Thailand plans to purchase 120 million doses of new crown vaccine in 2022, and Prime Minister Prayut also ordered the CDC to make a plan for the purchase of the fourth dose of vaccine.

In contrast, on January 5, Andrew Pollard, head of the UK Vaccine Advisory Committee, said that the UK should not introduce a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine until there is more scientific evidence. According to China Daily, Pollard said in an interview with Britain's Daily Telegraph that providing a vaccine every six months is "unsustainable".