U.S. Food and Drug Administration Rejects Proposed Changes to Immunization Protocols

Addressing discussions about reducing the number of doses, changing dosage, or extending the time between doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reaffirmed that individuals must receive two full doses at specified intervals in order to realize the full benefits of immunization. Among the vaccines approved at press­time, the interval is 21 days between doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech formula, and 28 days between doses for the Moderna vaccine. According to the FDA, the second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, if this is not feasible, the second dose may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.

“We know that some of these discussions are based on the belief that changing the dose or dosing schedule can help get more vaccine to the public faster,” the FDA notes. “However, making changes that are not supported by adequate scientific evidence may be counterproductive to public health.”

From Decisions in Dentistry. February 2021;7(2):8.