Pfizer and Moderna have asked the FDA to authorize a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose.
 |  | By Daphne Lee, News Editor | | | Pfizer and Moderna have asked the FDA to authorize a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. If it's authorized, do you need one? And who's paying for it? | | | Today's Top Story | | The Battle for the Second COVID Booster |  | Last week, Pfizer asked the FDA to authorize a fourth COVID-19 dose for people 65 and older. Moderna also filed a request to authorize the fourth dose, but for everyone 18 and above.
But do we need a fourth shot already? Most of the existing data comes from a small study in Israel, where only 274 healthcare workers received either a fourth dose of Pfizer or Moderna. The fourth dose raised antibody levels "slightly" but they didn't surpass the levels observed after the third shot. Researchers suggest that three doses offer maximum protection and a fourth dose would be to restore waning immunity.
Experts say the fourth shot will still benefit older adults and immunocompromised people, who are at much higher risk of severe COVID. Federal officials said the White House has enough supply for fourth doses for the most vulnerable, but not for the general population. | | Know More | | Since Congress cut COVID funding out of a recent deal, the government is running out of money for pandemic response. Not only is vaccine inventory at risk, but COVID-19 testing capacity and treatments will also be depleted if Congress doesn't act soon. | | Feel Better | | Studies have shown that three mRNA vaccine shots offer maximum protection against COVID-19. For average people, antibody levels from a third dose will persist for at least four months. | | |  | | The Omicron BA.2 variant is growing in prominence in the United States. While cases haven't spiked yet, BA.2 is on its way to become the dominant variant. In the northeastern U.S., this variant made up for more than 35% of new infections as of last week. The CDC estimates that BA.2 is now causing more than half of the new cases in the region. |  |  | | Treating Ectopic Pregnancy Is Not the Same as Abortion Care | | A Missouri lawmaker tried to include language that would ban the termination of ectopic pregnancy in an anti-abortion bill. After medical experts slammed the bill as ignorant and threatening the lives of all pregnant people, the language was removed. An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. This type of pregnancy never results in a birth and it can be fatal if left untreated. In the U.S., ectopic pregnancy accounts for almost 3% of all pregnancy-related deaths. | | | | Where You Live Can Affect Your Diet Quality | | Some say that your zip code is more powerful than your genetics. In a large-scale study, researchers dissected data from over a million MyFitnessPal users across more than 9,800 zip codes. The general consensus is that expanding grocery store access encourages healthy eating. But in communities of color, nutrition is more complex. For example, within zip codes that have predominantly Black populations, higher income isn't associated with healthier eating patterns. Social factors like racism, education quality, job opportunities, and pollution also play an important role in dietary outcomes. | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |      | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
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