<Anchor> In
the United States, where the delta mutation spreads rapidly, there is a controversy over the booster vaccination to counter the mutated virus. Pfizer said it plans to ask for emergency use authorization for the 'third' booster shot, but US health officials have refuted the unusual need at this time.
Correspondent Kim Soo-hyung from Washington.
<Reporter>
Pfizer and Biontech announced that they are observing an encouraging effect if a second dose of the coronavirus vaccine is given.
He said that early research results showed that the level of immunity to beta mutations is 5 to 10 times stronger when the third dose is given 6 months after the inoculation.
He emphasized that it will show the highest efficacy against other mutations, such as the delta mutation, and said that he will request emergency use authorization next month.
However, hours later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued rebuttal statements saying that vaccinated people do not need a booster dose.
[Jen Saki/White House Spokesperson: Americans who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus do not need a booster dose now. I would like to mention that health authorities continue to go through a rigorous screening process as to when a booster dose will be needed.] It
is unusual for a US health authority to publicly refute a pharmaceutical company's announcement.
[Jerome Adams/Former Director of the U.S. Public Health Service: I am deeply concerned about this state of confusion. I hope that they can come together with the same goal. This disagreement is worrisome for Americans.] The
CDC has issued a new recommendation that vaccinated students will no longer need to wear masks at school starting in the fall.