The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) vaccine advisers plan to meet Thursday, July 22 to discuss reports of a dangerous autoimmune paralysis disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome, after the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine.
Also on the agenda: the potential need for Covid-19 vaccine booster shots.
As the current vaccines are said to be wearing off and are proving less effective against Covid variants, vaccine makers have been pressing for a third “booster” dose. So far federal health officials have said a third dose isn’t warranted.
Scientists say those who fight off Covid-19 naturally with no symptoms, or those who recover from Covid-19 illness, so far are proven to have longer-lasting, broader immunity than those who are vaccinated.
The FDA issued a warning on July 12 about the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome in association with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Previous FDA material from September 2020 indicated that government safety advisers would be on the lookout for the autoimmune paralysis disorder in conjunction with Covid-19 vaccines.
Read the meeting agenda here.