Delaying second vaccine dose offers better protection, says Bristol expert
Professor Adam Finn says a longer gap between a first and second dose can help increase protection from coronavirus
Giving the masses one dose of a coronavirus vaccine will save more lives than giving a few two doses.
That's according to a vaccine expert from the University of Bristol.
It comes after the gap between first and second doses was extended to 12 weeks, sparking concern that could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.
On the contrary, Professor Adam Finn says lengthening the gap could strengthen people's resistance.
"The protection given after one dose of either the Oxford or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is extremely good," Professor Finn says in a statement, put out by Public Health England.
"The immune response given by the Oxford vaccine has been shown to be enhanced by delaying the second dose."
Professor Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation which drew up the list of who should be vaccinated first, continues that analysis shows protection from the first dose does not disappear rapidly.
"If anything, a lengthier period of several weeks between doses can continue to increase the protection given and a second dose will give a better booster response.
"The evidence around this for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is already beginning to arrive to confirm this."