Do We Need a Third Covid Shot?

<p>The rise of the Delta variant has prompted a thorny question: Do we need a booster dose of the vaccine for Covid-19? Vaccine makers think so, but regulators are yet to be convinced.</p><p>Principles are also at stake: Should richer countries be talking about administering extra doses when so many people around the world are yet to receive even a single shot?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/rebecca-robbins?smid=pc-thedaily">Rebecca Robbins</a>, a business reporter covering Covid-19 vaccines for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Although studies of a third dose are underway, experts agree that the vaccines are still working well.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/well/live/covid-booster-shot.html"> Here’s what to know about the potential booster dose</a>.</li><li>U.S. officials said that the decision to go ahead with a booster shot would depend partly on<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/us/politics/pfizer-booster-shots.html"> how many infections cause serious disease or hospitalization</a> in vaccinated people.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>