What if the third dose marked a real turning point in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign? Guest of LCI this Thursday, December 16, Christine Rouzioux said to herself “fairly confident” that the effectiveness of the vaccine booster be relatively extended over time. “I am convinced that the third dose [de vaccin contre le virus] will induce a much more persistent immunity than the first two “, she says, specifying that “this seems to be confirmed on the first results, especially in Israel”.
“In vaccinology, the third dose is long term. For hepatitis B, it’s 10 years”, insists the professor emeritus in virology at Necker hospital. This reminder “stimulates all cell populations” already requested during the two previous injections, she recalls again.
On the other hand, a shadow on the table remains: the potential development of future variants. “Is this immunity going to be sufficient in the face of new variants?”, wonders the scientist. “When we see the capacity of this virus, to model itself just on this small spicule … Omicron is worrying, because it activates a branch a little different from the virus. Other branches can therefore form”, she explains. “I don’t think it’s the drop in immunity that will cause us to have a fourth dose, but rather the problem of mutations”, she adds. “By being careful, we will move towards a situation in the spring which should be better”, hopes Christine Rouzioux, however.