AARP, an influential lobbying group for older Americans, has just released a shocking recommendation to its nearly 38 million members. In their December “AARP Bulletin,” they advised individuals to continue getting Covid boosters, even if they have already received five doses. This advice raises concerns about the safety and necessity of repeated mRNA dosing.
The column in the AARP Bulletin does not specify a narrower or higher age range for its recommendation. This implies that even a 50-year-old who has not received six Covid boosters needs to “catch up” with another immediately. It is important to note that someone who has had “five Covid boosters” has actually received seven mRNA jabs, including the initial two-shot primary vaccination regimen and the subsequent five boosters. Now, AARP is suggesting its members take their eighth jab of mRNA in just three years.
What makes this recommendation even more alarming is that scientists have limited safety data beyond a third shot, let alone a fourth or fifth booster. Without comprehensive data, it is impossible to determine if the risks of repeated mRNA dosing increase with each shot. The lack of information raises questions about the AARP's responsibility in promoting additional boosters without proper evidence of their safety and efficacy.
But the problematic advice from the AARP doesn't end there. The column goes on to claim that the most recent shot released in September 2023 is not actually a booster but a new vaccine that targets the latest variants. This assertion is concerning as it implies that the new vaccine has undergone randomized trials required for any new drug or vaccine in the United States. However, no such trials have taken place.
Despite these missteps, the article ends on a positive note, stating that researchers are working on a combined COVID-flu vaccine. The hope is that in a few years, a single shot from your doctor or pharmacy may be sufficient for full protection. However, this optimistic outlook is overshadowed by the potential risks associated with the 23 mRNA jabs individuals would have received by then.
