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Testing fractional doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Author

Listed:
  • Witold Więcek

    (a Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;)

  • Amrita Ahuja

    (b Douglas B. Marshall Jr. Family Foundation, Houston, TX 77002;)

  • Esha Chaudhuri

    (a Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;)

  • Michael Kremer

    (a Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;; c Department of Economics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;; d National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA 02138;)

  • Alexandre Simoes Gomes

    (a Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;)

  • Christopher M. Snyder

    (d National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA 02138;; e Department of Economics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755;)

  • Alex Tabarrok

    (f Department of Economics, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030;)

  • Brandon Joel Tan

    (g Department of Economics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138)

Abstract

Switching to fractional doses could dramatically accelerate vaccination, and clinical evidence suggests that fractional doses of COVID-19 vaccines could be highly effective. However, there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of fractional doses. In this paper, we present the existing evidence and use epidemiological models to quantify benefits under various scenarios. We argue for more experimental or observational data to be collected urgently. Because switching to fractional dosing could dramatically accelerate vaccination, the potential benefits of further testing of fractional doses far outweigh the costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Witold Więcek & Amrita Ahuja & Esha Chaudhuri & Michael Kremer & Alexandre Simoes Gomes & Christopher M. Snyder & Alex Tabarrok & Brandon Joel Tan, 2022. "Testing fractional doses of COVID-19 vaccines," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(8), pages 2116932119-, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2116932119
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. T. V. Padma, 2021. "COVID vaccines to reach poorest countries in 2023 — despite recent pledges," Nature, Nature, vol. 595(7867), pages 342-343, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; vaccines; pandemic; fractional dosing; dose stretching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts
    • F68 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Policy
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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