Covid-19: “No plans” for the launch of an Omicron-specific booster this year

There are currently no plans to conduct an Omicron-specific Covid-19 vaccination program in Aotearoa this year, officials say.

It comes as a leading modeler warned it looked “increasingly likely” that New Zealand would experience another “significant” wave of the virus before the end of the year, and urged the country to consider bivalent Omicron vaccines “sooner rather than later” as parts to get from Europe see an increase in cases.

Despite this and her outreach abroad, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) says it is not currently in the works.

Further advice would be developed “before autumn 2023, depending on which vaccines are available,” it said.

CONTINUE READING:
* “Increasingly likely” Aotearoa will experience a “significant” Covid wave before the end of the year
* With most mandatory public health measures lifted, is New Zealand prepared for the next Covid wave?
* Covid-19: Medsafe reviewing application for Omicron-specific vaccine

The UK became the first country to approve an Omicron booster vaccine — an updated version of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, based on the BA.1 lineage and the original SARS-CoV-2 sequence — in mid-August.

Australia approved its first bivalent Covid-19 vaccine (also Moderna) on August 29, and the United States took a similar step on August 31.

In mid-September, Pfizer applied to Medsafe for approval of its updated bivalent vaccine, Omicron BA.1.

A Health Department spokesman said Medsafe would continue to review the application “as a matter of priority.”

It is also awaiting dates to apply for Pfizer’s BA.4 and BA.5 booster vaccines.

“Currently there are no plans at this time to implement a bivalent Covid-19 vaccine program this year,” the spokesman said.

Te Whatu Ora recommended people keep up to date on recommended vaccines to protect against the risk of serious illness, hospitalization or death from the virus.

A recent analysis of nearly 1,800 Covid-associated deaths in Aotearoa found that two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine reduced the risk of death by 62%, compared with less than two doses.

James Ussher, associate professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Otago, said it remains to be seen whether bivalent boosters offer an advantage over existing Covid-19 vaccines.

While data from clinical trials showed antibody levels against omicron variants “rising more,” it’s not yet known how this translates to efficacy against serious disease — and this is crucial, he said.

Ussher said thinking needs to change from trying to protect against infection (which would require people to be reinforced “quite often”) to trying to protect against serious illness, hospitalization and death. Current vaccines are still doing a “very good job”.

Ussher said Aotearoa has the “luxury” to wait and see if bivalent vaccines offer an “advantage” abroad, especially given our falling case numbers; the majority of the population has been infected with Omicron, creating “significant” population immunity; and we’re coming to summer.

“From an immunity perspective, we’re probably in a pretty good place… I don’t think we need to rush.”

The timing of bivalent vaccines in the United States has been questioned by some infectious disease experts, who say the recommendation – that adults be eligible for an updated booster dose two months after completing their primary vaccination series or three months after infection – ” missing boat”.

Doctors argued that such a short gap was “suboptimal,” and instead the CDC should recommend a six-month gap between a previous booster or infection and the updated vaccine.

What about second refresher eligibility?

Officials are considering extending eligibility for second boosters.

In a post-cabinet press conference on Monday, Covid Response Minister Dr. Ayesha Verrall, the eligibility for the second booster is broadly in line with the rest of the world.

When asked if the current advice was to keep the program as it is, Verrall said “correct” – citing issues related to the “additional benefit and risk balance” (whether the risk of side effects is outweighed by the protection offered) in younger groups.

Currently, second booster shots are only indicated for people aged 16 and over who have a medical condition that increases their risk of major breakthrough from Covid-19 or who live with a disability “with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities”.

A second booster shot is also available for people aged 50 and over, and health, aged care and disability workers aged 30 and over.

On September 21, officials confirmed that the Director General of Health, Dr. Diana Sarfati, had received advice on second booster shots for younger people and had gone back to ask clarifying questions – including an extension of the scope.

The ministry is expecting the next round of consultations “in the coming weeks”, which will again deal with factors relating to the age of entry.