Thread by @MonicaGandhi9

As FDA weighs decisions on boosters for Moderna and J&J this month, remember this comparison effectiveness study from CDC last month: Moderna 93%; Pfizer 88%; J&J 71% effective against hospitalization in delta era. Moderna is 100 micrograms (3 times dose
cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7…

of Pfizer which is 30 micrograms) & also given at 4 weeks instead of 3 weeks apart. Vaccines usually given at least 1 month apart (& more) so 3 weeks very short for duration. Moderna dose of 100 micrograms may be too high for 12-17 years for toxicity
reuters.com/business/healt…

Dose for 5-11 year olds that Pfizer submitted to FDA for EUA today is 10 microgram dose so adjusted downwards for younger people (but still given 3 weeks apart- latter may be too short for maximal immunogenicity/safety). Would love vaccinologists' thoughts
nytimes.com/2021/10/07/us/…

I gave my 13 year son two 30 microgram doses of Pfizer 6-7 weeks apart, CDC allows 42 days between doses. Did this to increase immunogenicity & possibly safety (myocarditis seen more in Israel in young males with strict 3 week spacing, UK/Canada used 8-12)
lite.cnn.com/en/article/h_e…

Finally, with the 71% effectiveness of J&J for hospitalizations compared to 93% effectiveness for hospitalizations with Moderna in delta era, the approval for 2nd dose of J&J seems very important (but is 3rd dose of Moderna at 50 mcg - half dose-needed?)
npr.org/sections/healt…

For a good discussion on why spacing matters in vaccines (we have never given a vaccine 3 weeks apart), please see this article by Dr. Plotkin who has vaccinology lectures named after him
academic.oup.com/cid/article/73…