undefined | Better HN

0 pointsJumpCrisscross8mo ago0 comments

> Why is there an age limit on an all encompassing vax

Vaccines are subject to stringent safety standards since they’re administered to healthy people. The age limit may suggest that at the time of the recommendation, in the relevant jurisdiction, the manufacturer had not studied its safety and efficacy in >40 year olds.

(I also don’t think it’s an age limit as much as the upper end of a recommendation.)

0 comments

loeg8mo ago

E.g., the Shingles vaccine simply hasn't been tested in <50 populations. But if you're under 50 and you've had the chicken pox, you should ask your PCP to prescribe the shingles vaccine off-label and go get it, because shingles sucks and the vaccine definitely works.

_heimdall8mo ago

I don't follow your logic here. The GP comment is saying that the vaccine isn't available for populations it hasn't been tested for. Why are you recommending people ignore the fact that safety and efficacy testing isn't available for their population?

And how can you say the vaccine definitely works for populations it hasn't been tested on?

LorenPechtel8mo ago

It's an age limit to the approval caused by a lack of studies. To study it in over 45s you need suitable over 45s--but there aren't a lot of over 45s with risk but not prior exposure.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse